J.  HARTLEY  MANNERS 


THE 
OUSE  NEXT  DOOR 


A    COMEDY    IN    THREE    ACTS 


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THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 


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The  House  Next  Door 

A  Comedy  in  Three  Acts 

By 
J.    HARTLEY   MANNERS 


All  rights  reserved  under  the  International  Copyright  Act. 
Performance  forbidden  and  right  of  representation  reserved. 
Application  for  the  right  of  performing  the  above  piece  must 
be  made  to  WALTER  H.  BAKER  COMPANY,  41  Winter 
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BOSTON 
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PUBLISHERS 


The  House  Next  Door 


THE  CHARACTERS  IN  THE  COMEDY 

The  Cotswold  Family 

SIR  JOHN  COTSWOLD,  baronet. 
MARGARET,  his  wife. 
ULRICA,  his  daughter. 
CECIL,  his  son. 
VINING,  his  servant. 

CAPT.  the  HON.  CLIVE  TREVOR. 

The  Jacobson  Family 

SIR  ISAAC  JACOBSON,  M.  P. 
REBECCA,  his  wife. 
ESTHER,  his  daughter. 
ADRIAN,  his  son. 
MAXIMILIAN,  his  servant. 

WALTER  LEWIS,  musical  agent. 


Copyright,  1912,  by  J.  HARTLEY  MANNER* 
As  AUTHOR  AND  PROPRIETOR 

All  rights  reserved 


THE  SCENES  IN  THE  COMEDY 

ACT  I 

SCENE. — Morning  room  in  Sir  John  Cots-wold's  house  in 
the  Cotsvuold  Park  Estate,  Kensington,  London. 

ACT  II 

SCENE. — Drawing-room  in  Sir  Isaac  Jacobson's  house. 
Next  Door.      The  same  afternoon. 

ACT  III 

SCENE.— Same  as  Act  I.      Three  days  later. 


2082619 


First  produced  at  the  Gaiety   Theatre,  New   York  City, 
Monday  April  12,  /pop,  with  the  following  company  : 


The  Cotswold  Family 


SIR  JOHN  COTSWOLD 
LADY  COTSWOLD     . 
CECIL  COTSWOLD    . 
ULRICA  COTSWOLD 
VINING 


Mr.  J.  E.  Dodson. 
Miss  Ruth  Chester. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Kelley. 
Miss  Mabel  Roebuck. 
Mr.  A.  T.  Hendon. 


CAPT.  the  HON.  CLIVE  TREVOR         Mr.  W.  H.  Sams. 


The  Jacobson  Family 


SIR  ISAAC  JACOBSON,  M.  P., . 
LADY  JACOBSON  . 

ADRIAN  JACOBSON         .  . 

ESTHER  JACOBSON          .  . 

MAXIMILIAN        .          .  . 

WALTER  LEWIS  .         . 


Mr.   Thomas  Findlay. 
Miss  Eleanor    Moretti. 
Mr.  Regan  Hughs  ton. 
Miss  Farnia   Marinojf. 
Mr.  Charles  Diem. 

Mr.  Herbert  Standing. 


To 
J.  E.  DODSON 

In  grateful  appreciation 

J.  HARTLEY  MANNERS 
December,  1911 


ALL   RIGHTS    RESERVED 

"THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR "  is  fully  protected  by 
copyright,  and  all  rights  are  reserved.  Permission  to  act, 
read  publicly  or  to  make  any  use  of  it  must  be  obtained 
from  WALTER  H.  BAKER  COMPANY,  41  Winter 
Street,  Boston,  Mass. 

It  may  be  presented  by  amateurs  upon  payment  of  a 
royalty  of  ten  dollars  ($10.00)  for  each  performance,  pay- 
able to  WALTER  H.  BAKER  COMPANY  one  week 
before  the  date  when  the  play  is  given. 

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Ushers. 

Whenever  the  play  is  produced,  the  following  notice 
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for  the  play :  "  Produced  by  special  arrangement  with  the 
WALTER  H.  BAKER  COMPANY,  of  Boston,  Mass. 


The  House  Next  Door 


ACT  I 

SCENE. — The  action  passes  in  the  morning  room  of  SIR 
JOHN  COTSWOLD'S  house.  It  is  somewhat  sparsely  fur- 
nished, but  everything  in  the  room  is  old,  massive,  dig- 
nified in  its  simplicity.  An  old  straight-backed  piano 
down  R.,  open,  a  piece  of  music  on  the  rest.  Chester- 
field R.  c.  Writing  bureau  at  back,  R.  c.  Breakfast 
table  L.  c.,  partly  laid.  Heavy  door  at  back,  c.  j 
deeply  recessed  door  L.  ;  smaller  door  down  R.  A  large, 
old-fashioned  window,  L.,  lights  the  room,  and  through 
it  can  be  seen  the  foliage  of  the  railed-in  gardens,  all 
that  is  left  of  the  once  famous  Cotswold  Park.  It  is 
morning  on  a  day  in  late  spring  and  a  faint,  watery 
iunlight  is  struggling  in  through  the  partly  opened 
windows. 

[As  the  curtain  rises,  the  door-bell  rings  and  VINING, 
a  white-haired,  subdued,  precise  servant,  enters 
with  basket  of  flowers,  L.,  puts  it  in  front  of  side- 
board, then  hurries  out  c.,  leaving  the  door  open. 
As  he  disappears,  the  door  R.  opens  and  ULRICA,  a 
fair,  Saxon,  beautiful  girl  of  twenty-two,  enters 
anxiously  ;  walks  over  to  door  L.  and  listens  appre- 
hensively. VINING  reenters  carrying  more  flower st 
bouquets,  wreaths,  etc. 
1 


2  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 
[By  doot  L.]    Good-morning,  Vining. 

VINING. 

Good-morning,  miss.  \J5ringing  her  flowers,  etc.]  Mr. 
Cecil's  servant  from  the  opera  just  brought  these. 

[Hands  flowers. 

ULRICA. 

Oh,  how  lovely  !  [Takes  violets  and  large  wreath.]  I 
was  so  afraid  the  ringing  would  disturb  my  father. 

VINING. 
So  was  I,  miss.     I  hurried  as  quickly  as  I  could. 

ULRICA. 

[Burying  her  face  in  the  flowers]  Put  these  on  the 
table,  Vining,  and  bring  me  a  vase. 

[Crosses  to  settee  ;  puts  wreath  down. 

VINING. 

Yes,  miss.     It  was  a  wonderful  night  last  night,  miss. 
[Puts  flowers  on  small  table  up  R. ,  gets  vase  from 
sideboard  and  brings  it  to  table. 

ULRICA. 
Were  you  there  ? 

VINING. 

[At  table]  Yes,  in  the  gallery.  I  carried  Mr.  Cecil's 
hymn-book  to  the  first  choir  he  ever  sang  in.  I  had  to 
see  his  first  appearance  in  opera  at  Covent  Garden. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  3 

ULRICA. 

[At  table,  puts  violets  in  bowl.~]  It  was  nice  of  you, 
Viriing.  I'll  tell  my  brother.  \A  barrel-organ  commences 
"La  Donna  e  Mobile"  immediately  under  window.  UL- 
RICA and  VINING  start  and  look  nervously  at  door  L.] 
Please  send  him  away,  Vining.  My  father  will  be  so 
angry  if  it  wakes  him. 

VINING. 
Yes,  miss.  \Hurries  out  C. 

[ULRICA  hurries  to  window  and  closes  it.  She 
smiles  through  her  fears  as  she  glances  at  the 
door  L.  She  crosses,  takes  up  wreath  from 
couch,  looks  at  the  card  and  reads  the  inscrip- 
tion. Organ  stops. 

ULRICA. 

"  With  the  warmest  wishes  of  Sir  Isaac  and  Lady 
Jacobson." 

\Knoc ker  is  heard  and  door-bell  rings  ;  a  troubled 
look  flits  across  her  face  as  she  stands  unde- 
terminedly  looking  first  at  the  wreath  and  then 
at  the  door  L.  She  makes  up  her  mind ;  goes 
to  the  piano  and  places  the  wreath  on  the  top  of 
the  piano.  Opens  the  window  again. 

VINING. 
[Reenters  c.]    Miss  Jacobson. 

[VINING  closes  door  c.,  after  ESTHER'S  entrance  ; 
he  goes  down  L.,  gets  chair  and  places  it  foot  of 
table  and  exits  C.,  first  arranging  two  wreaths 
and  flowers  on  the  small  cabinet  at  doorway. 
Enter  ESTHER  JACOBSON,  a  dark,  attractive, 
warm-hearted,  impulsive  and  altogether  roman- 
tic young  lady  of  eighteen.  She  has  an  enthusi- 
astic, excitable,  rapid  method  of  talking  and  a 
pealing,  infectious  laugh. 


4  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOB 

ULRICA. 

[Gives  a  little  cry  of  pleasure  R.  ^"ESTHER,  and  em~ 
braces  her.~\  My  dear  Esther,  how  early  you  are ! 

[Brings  her  down  front  of  settee. 

ESTHER. 

[Impulsively  and  excitedly. ~\  Oh !  I've  been  up  for 
hours.  I  scarcely  slept  last  night  at  all !  I  was  so  ex- 
cited. Oh  !  Your  brother.  Last  night !  Oh  ! 

[  Words  fail  her,  she  sinks  on  the  Chesterfield,  C. 

ULRICA. 

[Standing  beside  her,  R.,  smiling,  holds  her  right  hand.'] 
You  liked  him  ? 

ESTHER. 

Liked  him  ?  He  is  wonderful !  What  an  artist !  It 
isn't  merely  his  voice,  but  his  art.  His  carriage.  His 
atmosphere.  His  personality.  He  was  so  true — so 

simple — so  powerful.     So  dignified — so  great 

[Lack  of  breath  stops  her. 

ULRICA. 

[Places  her  hand  over  her  mouth  ;  sits,  laughing.'}  You 
little  enthusiast. 

ESTHER. 

[Jumps  up  c.,  turns,  facing  ULRICA.]  His  poise  !  His 
grace !  And  his  last  scene !  [Faces  audience.~\  Oh ! 
[Impulsively  turning  to  ULRICA.]  And  all  the  while  I 
was  watching  him,  I  kept  thinking:  "I  know  him.  I 
know  him.  He  knows  me.  Insignificant  me."  And  to 
think  he's  your  brother.  How  happy  you  must  be  ! 

[Clasping  her  hands. 

ULRICA. 
Of  course  I  am. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  5 

ESTHER. 
And  proud. 

ULRICA. 

Very  proud.  [Points  to  wreath  on  piano."]  Look,  your 
father's  wreath.  And  ever  so  much  the  largest. 

ESTHER. 

What  can  a  mere  wreath  convey  ?  How  can  mere 
prose  do  justice  to  such  a  master  ?  It  would  take  a  poet. 
And  a  great  poet,  too  ! 

[  Very  enthusiastically.     ULRICA  listens  and  looks 
at  door  L. 

ULRICA. 
Sssh! 

[Quiets  ESTHER  and  crosses  to  door  L.     Listens. 

ESTHER. 
[Alarmed."}   Is  your  brother  in  there  ? 

ULRICA. 
No.     My  father's  in  there — asleep. 

[Turning  from  door. 

ESTHER. 
Oh! 

ULRICA. 

[Crossing  to  L.  of  ESTHER.]  Cecil  spent  his  first  night 
with  us  for  years  last  night.  This  will  be  his  first  break- 
fast in  the  bosom  of  his  family  since  he's  become  famous. 

ESTHER. 
[Pressing  her  heart."}   Oh  !   Oh  !    If  he  were  to  come  in. 

ULRICA. 
Well  ?    And  if  he  were  ? 


6  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ESTHER. 
I  think  I  should  die. 

ULRICA. 

[Taking  her  by  the  hands,  swinging  her  and  laughing  at 
her.~\  You  silly,  silly  child.  I  believe  you're  in  love  with 
him. 

ESTHER. 
I  am. 

ULRICA. 
Oho,  I'll  tell  him. 

ESTHER. 

[Pulls  herself  away. ,1  If  you  do  I  think  I'd  kill  myself. 
Tell  me.  How  was  he?  Last  night?  After  the  per- 
formance ?  [Eagerly. 

ULRICA. 

{Matter  offact."]  Just  as  he  always  is.  Quite  ordinary. 
And  rather  tired ! 

ESTHEI 
[c.]   Ulrica!     Tired — perhaps  ;  but  ordinary — never! 

ULRICA. 
And  very  thirsty. 

ESTHER. 
Thirsty — he  thirsty  !  "  Don  Giovanni "  ? 

ULRICA. 

[Laughing."]  Doesn't  Don  Giovanni  drink  in  the  ban- 
quet scene  ? 

ESTHER. 

Yes.  But  out  of  goblets  of  gold,  and  with  the  world  of 
pleasure  and  beauty  around  him. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  7 

ULRICA. 

Well,  Cecil  drank  out  of  ordinary  glasses,  and  with  us 
around  him.  Just  us.  [Laughs.  Takes  ESTHER  in  her 
arms  and  hugs  her.~\  It's  a  shame  to  tease  you. 

ESTHER. 
[SlilyJ}  Ulrica,  my  brother  comes  home  to-day  ! 

ULRICA. 

[Starts ;  releases  ESTHER.]   Adrian!   Oh! 

[Turns  away,  R. 
ESTHER. 

Yes.  Oh  !  He's  graduated  with  honors,  and  he  holds 
the  record  for  the  half-mile.  We  are  very  proud  of  him. 

ULRICA. 

[Moves  away  thinking  to  R.  of  couch.~\  Of  course  !  Of 
course ! 

ESTHER. 
[Follows  her  toward  R.  c.]  Come  in  this  afternoon. 

ULRICA. 
[Eagerly  turns.]  May  I  ? 

ESTHER. 
Do.  Adrian  wrote  me  to  ask  you. 

ULRICA. 
Did  he?  Oh! 

ESTHER. 
[Laughing."}  Ha,  ha,  ha  ! 

ULRICA. 

[/«  front  of  settee,  indignantly.]  What  are  you  laugh* 
ing  at? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ESTHER. 
[L.]    He's — he's — oh  !  awfully  in  love  with  you. 

ULRICA. 
Don't  be  silly.  [Turns  away. 

ESTHER. 

He 

ULRICA. 


is.     He  is.     He  is!    \Goes  to  end  of  couch  following 
:A.]   Awfully  in  love  !     Do  you  love  him  f 


ULRICA. 
[Sits  R.  end  of  settee.  ~\   Esther ! 

ESTHER. 

Oh!  \_Sits  beside  her  on  settee  L.]  I  knew  I'd  forgotten 
something.  On  Sunday  night  we  re  giving  a  wonderful 
reception.  Every  one  will  be  there.  It  is  to  celebrate 
my  father  being  made  a  knight.  Sir  Isaac  !  See  ?  After 
the  opera  last  night  my  father  and  mother  asked  Cecil — 
I  mean  your  brother — if  he  would  sing  for  us.  And  he 
consented. 

ULRICA. 
Really  ?  [Rises. 

ESTHER. 

{Puts  her  right  hand  on  ULRICA'S  left.']  You  must 
come  too,  dear,  and  your  father  and  mother. 

[Taking  ULRICA'S  hand. 

ULRICA. 

[Shakes  her  head."]  No.  My  father  doesn't  allow  Sir 
Isaac's  name  to  be  mentioned  in  his  presence. 

ESTHER. 

[Pouting,  rises  and  goes  a  step  to  c.]  Oh  !  How  stupid. 
Why  does  he  hate  papa  so  much  ?  Because  he  is  a  Jew* 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  9 

ULRICA. 
Partly ! 

ESTHER. 

How  narrow.  There  are  some  very  nice  Jews.  I  know 
tue  are  !  \Goes  toward  ULRICA.]  Because  he's  rich  f 

ULRICA. 
A  good  deal. 

ESTHER. 

Father  couldn't  help  it.  The  money  seemed  to  just 
come  to  him — and  stay  there.  Because  he  bought  up 
your  father's  mortgages  on  the  Cotswold  estate,  and  has 
come  to  live  next  door  to  him  ? 

ULRICA. 
That,  perhaps,  most  of  all. 

ESTHER. 

Mother  did  that.  She  wanted  to  live  next  door.  And 
to  save  arguments  and  fuss — papa  hates  fuss — he  just  gave 
in,  and  there  we  are.  But  oh,  what  a  pity !  What  a 
pity! 

[  The  door  C.  opens  quietly  and  CECIL,  a  handsome, 
powerful  young  man  of  thirty,  enters.  He  is 
carrying  a  large  photograph  of  a  pugilist, 

ESTHER. 

\_Holds  out  her  hand  to  ULRICA  ;  goes  on  impulsively. "\ 
Ulrica,  how  wretched,  how  stupid,  how  beastly  money  is. 

CECIL. 
[Coming  down  cheerily. .]    Good -morning,  Ulrica. 

ESTHER. 

\Rises,  pressing  her  heart  violently,  in  a  whisper^  Don 
Giovanni ! 


10  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

CECIL. 

[Coming  down  L.  of  ULRICA,  shows  her  photograph."} 
What  do  you  think  of  this?  i\ly  old  boxing  master  sent 
this  round  to  me  after  the  performance  last  night.  Listen. 
[Reads.]  "  To  my  pupil,  Mr.  Cotswold,  from  the  heavy- 
weight champion  of  England,  Jake  Blumenthal.  You 
were  very  good.  Jake."  There!  \_Holds  up  photo  to 
L.  ,  so  that  audience  can  see  it,  then  hands  it  to  ULRICA, 
who  turns  up  stage  a  step.~\  Even  he  was  at  the  Garden 
last  night  to  see  my  success.  Wasn't  it  nice  of  him? 
[CECIL  looks  at  ESTHER,  who  is  standing  trembling,  half 
turned  away  from  him.  He  crosses  to  ESTHER,  takes  her 
hands;  enthusiastically. .]  Why,  Esther!  My  child 
sweetheart!  [Holding  her  by  both  hands. ~\  I'm  delighted 
to  see  you  again.  Delighted  ! 

ESTHER. 
[Struggling  bashfully, ,]    Please  let  me  go ! 

CECIL. 

You're  trembling !  Just  as  you  used  to  years  and  years 
ago.  [Looking  at  her  admiringly]  What  a  beautiful 

young  lady  you've  grown  into.     Why,  you're Sit 

down. 

[Gently  presses  her  on  to  Chesterfield,  then  goes  to 
ULRICA,  whispers  to  her  in  pantomime,  telling 
her  to  leave  them.  ULRICA  behind  couch 
laughs  and  tiptoes  to  door  R.  Puts  photograph 
on  piano  in  passing,  just  above  book  "  The 
Ghetto" 

ESTHER. 

[Looks  around  and  sees  ULRICA  at  door ;  jumps  up 
alarmed.]  Ulrica ! 

[ULRICA  laughs  and  exits  R. 

CECIL. 

[Laughing,  goes  to  end  of  sofa]  Splendid  !  I've  got 
you  all  to  myself. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  11 

ESTHER. 
But,  Mr.  Cotswold 

CECIL.. 

Now  sit  down The  first  time  I've  seen  you  for 

hundreds  of  years,  and  you  want  to  run  away,  the  mo- 
ment I  speak  to  you.  I'm  surprised  at  you !  You  seem 
to  forget  that  we're  old  sweethearts.  Do  you  remember 
when  we  were  married  ? 

ESTHER. 
[Blushing,  hanging  her  head ;  very  faintly '.]    Yes. 

CECIL. 

We  toddled  up  to  the  altar  like  grown-up  people,  and 
took  the  marriage-vows,  and  then,  just  like  some  grown-up 
people,  separated  almost  at  once.  How  long  ago  it 
seems.  Now  here  we  are  both  grown  up  and  you've  for- 
gotten all  about  me. 

ESTHER. 
Oh,  no,  I  haven't.  [  Turns  quickly. 

CECIL. 

Did  you  ever  think  of  me  ?  [ESTHER  nods."\  I've  often 
thought  of  you — often  I 

ESTHER. 
Have  you  ? 

CECIL. 

Very  often.  Sometimes  I  was  on  the  point  of  writing 
to  you.  But  how  dare  a  poor  devil  of  a  musical  student 
write  to  the  beautiful  daughter  of  a  merchant  prince? 
Eh  ?  No  right  to,  at  all,  had  he?  At  least  not  until  he 
made  a  success.  Well,  I've  made  it — at  last ! 


12  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ESTHER. 
I  know  you  have.    [Turns  to  him.']    I  am  so  very,  very 

glad,  Mr.  Cots 

CECIL. 
[Checks  her.'}   Ah!     Cecil! 

ESTHER. 
[Meekly.']   Cecil! 

CECIL. 

That's  right.  Do  you  know  the  first  to  come  on  the 
stage  last  night  and  congratulate  me  ?  Your  father !  He 
seemed  as  pleased  as  I  was  that  I'd  succeeded. 

ESTHER. 
He  was.     We  were  all  pleased. 

CECIL. 
\Vere_y0*  there? 

ESTHER. 
Yes. 

CECIL. 

Really?  [ESTHER  nods.']  Like  the  opera?  [ESTHER 
nods.']  Like  me  ?  [ESTHER  nods  vigorously^]  Splendid. 
Coming  again  ?  [ESTHER  nods.']  Often?  [ESTHER  nodsJ] 
Magnificent.  Do  you  sing?  [ESTHER  shakes  her  head?] 
But  you  play  ? 

ESTHER. 
Oh,  yes.  {Nods. 

CECIL. 

Then  I'll  tell  you  what  we'll  do.  We'll  go  through  all 
the  operas  together.  Shall  we  ? 

ESTHER. 
Oh,  I'd  love  to. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  13 

CECIL. 

You  shall.  I'll  call  and  see  you  this  afternoon.  [Look 
of  delight  from  ESTHER.]  And  every  afternoon  if  you'll 
let  me — will  you  ?  [ESTHER  nods.~\  You'd  really  like 
to  see  me?  [ESTHER  nodsJ]  Every  day?  \_Nod.~\  Posi- 
tive ?  \_Nod.~]  Tell  me — [bending  toward  her\  is  there  any 
of  the  child  love  left  ?  Or  is  it  all  gone  ? 

ESTHER. 
Oh,  no ! 

CECIL. 

Some  left?    How  much  ?    [ESTHER'S  eyes  meet  his ;  she 
gives  long  sigh  and  drops  her  head.~\   As  much  as  that  ? 
[ULRICA  enters  from  door  R.     ESTHER  nods.']   Splendid  ! 
[ESTHER  hears  door  handle  turn  ;  she  jumps  up 
and  exclaims  "  Oh  I  "  and  crosses  to  R.  c. 

ULRICA. 
Mother's  coming. 

[Smiles  at  CECIL  and  ESTHER  and  goes  out  c., 

leaving  door  open. 

CECIL. 
[To  ESTHER.]   I'll  take  you  home. 

ESTHER. 
[L.  of  CECIL.]   No !    No  !    Please ! 

CECIL. 
I'll  call  this  afternoon  after  rehearsal. 

ESTHER. 
Will  you? 

CECIL. 

Certainly  I  will — till  then 

{Takes  her  hand. 


14  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ESTHER. 
Good-bye,  Mr.  Cots 

CECIL. 
Ah,  Cecil — Cecil— 

ESTHER. 
[Bashfully.']   Cecil. 

CECIL. 

Au  revoir,  Esther.  [Holding  her  hand.  ESTHER  turns 
L.  and  goes  up  c.  to  door,  turns,  catches  CECIL'S  eye  ; 
business.  Exit,  closing  door.  CECIL  gives  expression  of 
delight,  turns  to  piano  down  R.,  sees  wreath  on  piano,  picks 
it  up  and  reads  card.~\  "  With  the  warmest  wishes  of  Sir 
Isaac  and  Lady  Jacobson."  Isn't  that  splendid  ?  \_Places 
wreath  on  couch.  ULRICA  enters  c.  To  ULRICA.]  Isn't 
she  beautiful  ?  Isn't  she  perfect  ? 

ULRICA. 
That's  just  what  she  said  about  you. 

[Takes  small  jug  front  sideboard,  and  fours  water 
in  vase  on  table. 

CECIL. 
[c.]   Did  she  ?    Has  she  been  coming  here  often  ? 

ULRICA. 
Yes — to  see  me. 

CECIL. 
Does  father  like  her? 

ULRICA. 

Oh,  yes,  in  a  grouchy  way.  But  he  hates  the  family 
worse  than  ever,  especially  now  they're  Sir  Isaac  and 
Lady  Jacobson. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  15 

CECIL. 

[Sitting  on  L.  arm  of  settee,  laughing.']  That  must  have 
been  a  shock  to  him.  By  the  way,  how's  the  son? 

ULRICA. 
[Blushing.]   The  son  ? 

CECIL. 
Yes — Adrian.     Do  you  ever  see  him  ? 

ULRICA. 

\_Eml larrassedJ]  Sometimes.  \_Comes  around  front  of 
tabled}  See,  Cecil  dear,  your  flowers — they've  just  come 
from  the  theatre 

CECIL. 

[Rises;  goes  to  her."]  Why,  you're  blushing — you're 
positively  crimson.  [ULRICA  covers  her  cheeks  with  her 
hands.  CECIL  takes  her  hands  away.']  Ulrica,  you're  in 
love  too. 

ULRICA. 
Cecil! 

CECIL. 

\Holds  her  hands,  taking  her  up  c.]  You  are,  you  are. 
Own  up. 

ULRICA. 

[Drops  his  hands  ;  places  her  hands  on  his  shoulders.] 
Yes,  I  am.  But,  oh,  please  say  nothing.  Father  would 
make  things  even  more  miserable  for  me  than  they 
already  are. 

CECIL. 
Here's  a  pretty  complication.     I'm  in  love  with  Esther 

— you're  in  love  with  her  brother [Laughing,]    I've 

iust  come  in  time. 


16  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 
Promise  me  you'll  say  nothing  to  father? 

CECIL. 

Say  nothing!  I'll  say  everything.  I'll  carry  him  by 
storm. 

ULRICA. 
Oh,  no. 

CECIL. 

At  the  right  moment.  [Placing  his  hands  on  her  shoul- 
ders.^ At  the  right  moment.  I'm  not  going  to  allow  him 
to  stand  in  the  way  of  my  happiness,  nor  in  the  way  of 
yours.  Here — here — where's  breakfast?  I'm  starving! 

[Crossing  to  bell. 

ULRICA. 
[Excitedly."]    Don't.     Don't  ring  ! 

CECIL. 
Why  not? 

ULRICA. 

If  breakfast  were  served  before  father  came  in  he 
wouldn't  eat  a  thing  all  day. 

CECIL. 

Wouldn't  he?  Well,  it's  time  he  was  up.  Let  us  call 
him.  [Going  to  door  L. 

ULRICA. 

[Alarmed.']  No.  Don't.  Please.  We  always  have 
to  wait  until  father  wakes.  He  won't  allow  any  one  to 
call  him. 

CECIL. 

Great  heavens!  Suppose  he  slept  all  day?  I'll  call 
him  at  once.  [Turning  to  door. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  11 

ULRICA. 

[Insistently.]   Cecil!     You   mustn't!     If   you    do,   he 
won't  leave  his  room  at  all. 

CECIL. 
What  nonsense.  [About  to  knock  at  door. 

ULRICA. 

[Going  right  over  to  him]    Don't.     Please.    We   have 
enough  trouble  with  him  when  everything  goes  smoothly  t 

CECIL. 

[Turning  to  her]   But  it's  so  foolish.     He  must  be  even 
more  difficult  to  manage  than  he  used  to  be. 

ULRICA. 

{Evasively.]   Oh,  well.     He's  had  a  great  deal  of  trou- 
ble.    Don't ;  please  don't. 

CECIL. 

All  right,  I  won't.    But  Ulrica — tell  me — honestly — how 
do  you  manage  to  live  ? 

ULRICA. 
Mother  and  I  have  had  to  work. 

CECIL. 
What  kind  of  work?. 

ULRICA. 

Translations,  designs  for  dresses,  anything  that  would 
earn  a  little  now  and  then 

CECIL. 
Has  it  been  as  bad  as  that? 


18  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 

Everything  is  mortgaged  now — and — and  Sir  Isaac 
Jacobson  bought  the  mortgages.  Even  this  house  is  his. 
We  owe  him  rent  for  it.  But  the  bitterest  thing  to  father 
was  his  coming  to  live  next  door  to  us. 

CECIL. 

{Goes  to  her,  places  his  hand  on  her  shoulder."]  Well, 
all  that  is  going  to  be  changed.  And  at  once.  Last 
night's  success  made  me.  1  go  to  America  next.  I'm 
going  to  make  vast  sums  of  money.  And  the  first  will  go 
to  repay  everything  I  cost  my  family. 

[Enter  LADY  COTSWOLD,  door  R. 

ULRICA. 
Don't  talk  like  that.     We're  all  proud  of  you  — 

CECIL. 
Well,  I'm  not  particularly  proud  of  myself. 

MARGARET. 

[Coming  down  from  door  R.  to  C.,  smiling  at  her  chil- 
dren.'] Good-morning,  my  dears. 

CECIL. 
[Goes  to  her,  kisses  her.~\   Good-morning,  mother. 

MARGARET. 
[Looking  lovingly  at  kim.~\   Are  you  rested  ? 

CECIL. 
Quite. 

MARGARET. 

My  boy,  I  do  wish  your  father  had  heard  you  last 
night. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOL  19 

CECIL. 

He  will  hear  me.     He  must  hear  me.     Every  one  will 

hear  me 

ULRICA. 

Isn't  he  conceited,  mother? 

CECIL. 
Why,  the  whole  world  is  going  to  hear  me. 

MARGARET. 
The  world,  dear?  [Turning  toward  him. 

ULRICA. 
He's  going  to  America,  mother. 

MARGARET. 

[Turns  to  CECIL,  alarmed,  going  to  him."}  Oh,  no. 
Not  America.  Not  across  the  sea,  dear. 

CECIL. 

Across  the  sea  are  millions  of  dollars,  and  I'm  going 
over  to  annex  some  of  them,  and  then  [embracing  her\ , 
charming  mother  and  devoted  sister,  no  more  worries,  no 
more  struggles.  Everything  shall  be  made  easy  for  you. 

MARGARET. 

I  don't  want  anything  but  my  own  near  me.  Espe- 
cially just  now  when  your  father  is  not  quite  himself. 

[Sell  rings  long  and  loudly. 

MARGARET  and  ULRICA. 

[Together,  exchange  glances  and  look  at  door  L.] 
Father ! 

[Enter  VlNlNG,  C.,  carrying  copy  of  "  The  Times" 


20  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOE 

CECIL. 

Breakfast  at  last.  I'm  starving.  [Crosses  to  end  of 
couch.  Bell  goes  on  ringing  till  VINING  reaches  door  L.J 
He  seems  just  as  impatient  as  ever. 

MARGARET. 
[Smiling.']   Good-morning,  Vining. 

VINING. 

[Goes  around  back  of  table  to  doori..~]  Good-morning, 
my  lady.  [Exit,  L. 

CECIL. 

[Calling  after  him.~\  Dress  him  quickly,  Vining,  and 
hurry  the  breakfast.  [The  bell  stops. 

MARGARET. 

[Hurriedly  and  anxiously,  comes  down  to  CECIL.]  Be- 
fore your  father  comes  in  I  must  warn  you.  Be  very 
careful.  He  knows  nothing  about  your  sister's  little 
legacy. 

CECIL. 
What  legacy  ? 

MARGARET. 
Her  aunt's.     Don't  you  remember? 

CECIL. 
Why  ?     Has  she  got  it  already  ? 

MARGARET. 
A  year  ago,  Cecil. 

CECIL. 

I  didn't  know  that.  Why,  that's  splendid.  Then 
you've  not  been  so  badly  off  as  I  thought.  Why  didn't 
you  tell  me  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  21 

MARGARET. 
We  didn't  like  you  to  know  how  it  had  been  spent. 

CECIL. 
Spent  ?    Is  it  spent  ?    All  of  it  ? 

\Holding  her  hands. 

MARGARET. 

Yes,  all  of  it.  That  is  why  I  don't  want  you  to  ever 
refer  to  it  before  your  father.  He  doesn't  know. 

CECIL. 

\A  thought  suddenly  coming  to  him.']  How  was  it  spent, 
mother  ?  \_Pause.~]  On  me  ?  \_He  looks  from  MARGARET 
to  ULRICA.  MARGARET  nods.  ULRICA  bows  her  head.'] 
Why  didn't  you  tell  me  ? 

MARGARET. 
Because  we  were  afraid  you  would  not  have  accepted  it. 

CECIL. 

Nor  would  I.  I'd  have  managed  somehow.  I'd  have 
economized.  Not  lived  as  I  did. 

MARGARET. 

We  knew  you'd  succeed.  And  the  singing  lessons 
were  expensive,  and  so 

CECIL. 

[Takes  her  hand.~\  I've  triumphed  through  your  strug- 
gles. But  it  shall  be  repaid.  Every  penny,  and  with 
interest. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Outside.']  Be  careful,  Vining,  be  careful.  Do  you 
think  my  feet  are  made  of  iron  ? 


22 


MARGARET. 


[/«  an  anxious  whisper.~\  Not  a  word  before  your 
father.  And  oh,  please,  be  careful  with  him — don't  anger 
him,  will  you  ? 

CECIL. 

It  doesn't  need  me  to  anger  him,  to  judge  by  his  voice. 
Vining's  done  it  already. 

MARGARET. 

Remember,  dear,  if  he's  a  little  impatient  and  irritable, 
he  has  had  a  great  deal  to  put  up  with  since  misfortune 
came  to  us. 

CECIL. 
I'll  remember. 

SIR  JOHN. 
{Outside.}   That'll  do,  that'll  do. 

MARGARET. 
[Frightened.]   Here  he  is  ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

{Speaking  through  the  half-open  door.~\  Once  more — 
just  once  and  I'll  discharge  you.  I'll  not  have  fools 
around  me.  Knaves  I  must  have.  They're  all  round 
me,  but  fools  I  pay  wages  to — no  '  Understand  me,  no! 
{Enters  L.,  banging-  door  abruptly  behind  him.  He  is 
fully  dressed  save  for  a  dressing  gown.  He  is  carrying  a 
copy  of  "  The  Times,"  creased  down  at  the  "letters."] 
Morning,  everybody.  Come  !  Come — come  !  Where's 
breakfast  ?  [ViNiNG  enters  L.  and  crosses  to  door  C.]  Why 
isn't  it  on  the  table?  You  heard  my  bell  ring?  [L.  C.] 
Why  isn't  breakfast  on  the  table,  Vining?  What  is  the 
use  of  my  telling  you  the  same  thing  day  after  day — day 
after  day  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  23 

VlNING. 

Why,  you  distinctly  said 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Up  c.]  Don't  answer  me.  Get  out!  [VlNING  ex- 
its c.  To  MARGARET.]  It  seems  a  simple  thing,  my  dear, 
to  manage  a  household  with  a  little  order,  a  little  method. 
Instead  everything  late.  Always  late.  It's  bitter,  bitter. 

MARGARET. 
But,  John,  my  dear,  don't  you  know 

SIR  JOHN. 
Talking  won't  mend   it,   my  dear.    {Turns  suddenly, 

shudders.~\   Shut  that  window 

[SIR  JOHN  crosses  to  fire,  throws  "  The  Times"  on 
table  as  he  goes.  CECIL  starts  for  window t  but 
ULRICA  runs  to  get  there  first. 

CECIL. 

{Front  of  piano,  speaks  as  SIR  JOHN  rubs  his  hands.~\ 
Good-morning,  father. 

[ULRICA  has  closed  window  and  stays  there. 
CECIL  picks  up  book. 

SIR  JOHN. 

{Turning  quickly.']  Why  good?  It's  a  particularly 
baa  morning.  My  whole  day  is  spoiled.  Completely 
spoiled.  {Sniffing^]  What  is  it  I  smell  ?  {Seeing  the  roses, 
etc.,  on  small  table  by  door.'}  Flowers  !  Pah  !  This  is  not 
a  boudoir — it's  a  breakfast  room.  Away  with  them.  {He 
knocks  them  all  on  floor.  CECIL  picks  up  flowers  and 
hands  them  to  ULRICA.]  Ulrica,  take  them  out  of  my 
sight.  Put  'em  where  I  can  neither  see  'em  nor  smell 
'em.  [VlNING  enters  c.  with  breakfast  dishes,  toast,  eggs, 
coffee,  etc.  ;  arranges  them  on  table  assisted  by  MARGARET. 
SIR  JOHN  sees  the  wreath  on  sofa.']  What's  this?  A 
wreath?  Great  heavens!  This  isn't  a  mausoleum. 


24  TEE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 


up  large  wreath  and  reads  card  through  eye-glass."] 
With  the  warmest  wishes  of  Sir  Isaac  and  Lady  Jacob- 
son."     The  impertinence!     The  damned  impertinence! 
Sir  Isaac  !     Ha  !     Vining,  put  that  in  the  fire. 

[flings  the  wreath  on  the  floor.  VINING  picks  it 
up,  puts  it  on  tray,  turns  to  MARGARET,  c.  She 
takes  vase  with  violets  from  table  and  puts  it 
on  VINING'  s  tray.  Then  ULRICA  puts  two 
small  wreaths  and  other  flowers  on  tray. 

CECIL. 

[At  piano,  back  of  'couch  .]  They  are  my  flowers,  father, 
it's  my  wreath.  Vining,  put  them  in  my  room. 

[VlNlNG  exits  C.  with  the  flowers,  etc. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Pacing  about  furiously.'}  An  insult.  That's  what  I 
have  to  put  up  with  continually  —  insults.  That  damned 
Jew  to  present  my  son  with  a  wreath. 


ULRICA. 

He  didn't  mean  it  as  an  insult,  father.  It  was  just  a 
thoughtful,  kindly  act. 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  don't  want  his  thoughts.  I  don't  want  his  kindness. 
I  don't  want  his  wreaths — not  even  when  I'm  buried. 
Though  that,  no  doubt,  would  give  him  the  greatest  pos- 
sible pleasure.  Wreaths.  Pah  !  [CECIL  laughs  with 
genuine  amusement.  SIR  JOHN,  angrily.~\  How  dare  you 
laugh,  sir  ? 

CECIL. 
When  you  talk  like  that,  father,  I  think  you're  funny. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  25 

SIR  JOHN. 

Funny  !  Funny  !  How  dare  you  ?  I  would  remind 
you  that  you  are  speaking  to  your  father,  sir — not  to 
some  low  music-hall  person — the  kind  of  society  you 
seem  to  prefer. 

CECIL. 

Why  should  you  think  that  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

Theatres!  Operas!  Music-halls!  They're  all  alike. 
Mountebanks ! 

[All  through  the  foregoing  scene  MARGARET  and 
ULRICA  have  poured  out  the  coffee  and  setved 
breakfast. 

ULRICA. 
Father,  please  come  to  breakfast. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Breakfast !  The  very  thought  of  it  revolts  me.  [Shud- 
ders.'] My  appetite's  gone.  [CECIL  crosses  to  top  of  table 
and  sits.  ULRICA  puts  cup  of  coffee  by  SIR  JOHN'S  plate.~] 
Entirely  gone.  My  whole  morning  destroyed.  [Goes  to 
table,  places  ULRICA'S  chair.  Sits  chair  R.  of  table.  They 
all  arrange  serviettes.  SIR  JOHN  stirs  coffee;  sips  it;  furi- 
ously.~\  Who  put  sugar  in  my  coffee  ? 

MARGARET. 

[Nervously.']  I  gave  you  the  wrong  cup,  John.  This 
is  yours. 

(ULRICA  passes  cup  to  him,  and  his  back  to  MAR- 
GARET. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Of  course.     Naturally.     Nothing  could  be  right. 


26  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

CECIL. 
[Cheerily. ~\    Now.  father,  you  must  be  reasonable. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Reasonable !  [To  MARGARET.]  Margaret.  {She  looks 
upJ\  Kindly  request  your  son  not  to  bring  his  theatre 
manners  to  my  breakfast  table.  Reasonable !  [Enter 
VINING,  c.,  with  ham,  -which  he  places  on  sideboard.  SIR 
JOHN  stares  in  horror  at  opened  egg.~\  Vining  !  [VlNiNG 
comes  to  R.  of  SIR  JOHN.]  Take  this  egg  away  and  des- 
troy it.  [VlNiNG  takes  up  the  egg  gravely  and  looks  at  it, 
solemnly  shakes  his  head  and  exits  C.]  It's  bitter.  Bitter. 
Why  ?  I  ask  you,  why  ?  Cannot  even  one's  eggs  be 
decent?  Or  at  least  of  recent  birth?  Surely  it  is  not  too 
much  to  expect?  Margaret,  may  I  ask  you  where  you 
contrive  to  purchase  such  abominations  ? 

MARGARET. 

From  the  very  best  shop  in  the  neighborhood,  John. 
Mr.  Solomon's. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Solomon's  !  Solomon  s  !  Is  there  no  Christian  dairy- 
man in  the  district  ?  Solomon's.  What  is  England  com- 
ing to  when  one  has  to  buy  even  one's  food  from  Jews? 
An  island,  eh  ?  Ha — we're  a  small  country  entirely  sur- 
rounded by  Jews — that's  what  we  are. 

CECIL. 
Now,  father 

SIR  JOHN. 

Silence.  [Pause.]  Solomon's!  I  suppose  you  get  your 
vegetables  from  Lazarus'  ?  and  your  meats  from  Isaac's  ? 
and  your  groceries  from  Levy's?  Jews,  Jews,  Jews  wher- 
ever one  turns.  Three  invisible  brass  balls  suspended 
over  the  entire  United  Kingdom.  [SiR  JOHN  takes  toast 
from  rack,  butters  it  savagely,  takes  marmalade  from  jar, 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  27 

then  pauses  suddenly,  looks  from  one  to  the  other;  they 
are  all  eating,  not  looking  at  him.']  Well,  why  doesn't 
some  one  say  something  ?  Are  you  all  dumb  ?  '[Pause.'] 
Not  good  enough  to  be  spoken  to,  eh  ?  [A*a/5.] 
I'm  funny,  am  I?  Unreasonable?  No  Christian  dairy- 
man in  the  district,  eh?  It's  bitter!  Bitter! 

[Goes  on  eating,  takes  apple  from  dish,  cuts  it,  and 
eats  it. 

CECIL. 

[Little  pause,  then  cheerfully^  Well,  you  seem  to  be 
enjoying  your  breakfast,  father,  after  all. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Looking  at  him  malevolently^  I  suppose  I  may  have 
enough  to  eat  in  my  own  house,  sir?  \_Pushes  away  every- 
thing from  him.~\  Finished. 

[Turns    chair  from   table,    throws   himself  back, 
folds  his  arms  and  crosses  legs. 

CECIL. 
[SmilingJ\   Don't  take  everything  I  say  amiss. 

SIR  JOHN. 

I'd  have  you  know  I  never  take  anything  amiss.  Ha  ! 
Amiss.  That's  a  nice  way  to  talk !  [Drums  his  fingers 
on  the  table  ;  then  looks  at  sideboard^  Ulrica,  a  slice  of  that 
ham,  between  two  thin  pieces  of  bread,  if  you  please. 
[ULRICA  rises,  and  goes  to  sideboard^  Amiss !  I  come 
into  this  room  to  begin  a  new  day  in  a  life  we  live  but 
once,  and  I  find  what?  The  whole  room  filled— _/?/&</ 
with  wreaths.  From  whom  ?  Jacobson !  Mr.  Isaac 
Jacobson ! 

CECIL. 

Sir  Isaac,  father. 


28  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

No,  sir — Mr.  he  was  born,  and  Mr.  he'll  always  be  to 
me.  We  have  been  baronets  for  generations.  My  father 
was  born  Sir  John— -your  father  was  born  Sir  John — birth, 
sir,  birth.  That  is  what  counts — or  should  count — in  the 
world.  Birth.  The  majesty  of  birth  !  [  Takes  up  "  The 
Times"  ;  hands  it  to  ULRICA.]  Have  the  kindness  to 
read  that,  if  you  please. 

ULRICA. 
{Takes  the  paper  from  him,  looks  at ;'/.]  Where,  father? 

SIR  JOHN. 

There — there — there {Hitting  paper   with  knife 

handle.~\  Where  my  thumb  was. 

ULRICA. 

{Reads.}  "  To  the  Editor  of  The  Times :  Sir :  It  is  a 
matter  of  the  deepest  pain  and  regret  to  me  to  see  amongst 
those  selected  by  the  Liberal  Government  as  deserving 
the  dignity  of  a  title  the  name  of  one  who,  by  birth,  race 
and  religion,  is  rabidly  opposed  to  the  best  interests  of 
this  great  Empire.  The  Majesty  of  Birth  has  ever  been 
the  watchword  of  the  Conservative  party.  It  is  indeed  a 
sorry  day  for  England  when  self-seeking  shopkeepers  ob- 
tain seats  on  the  Liberal  benches  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, and  in  recognition  of  their  support  have  titles  con- 
ferred upon  them.  Believe  me  to  be  your  obedient  serv- 
ant, John  Cotswold,  Baronet." 

SIR  JOHN. 

{Very pleased}  Ha !  Let  Mr.  Jacobson  digest  that 
with  his  bacon  and  eggs  this  morning. 

[ULRICA  passes  sandwich  to  SIR  JOHN. 

CECIL. 
{On  the  point  of  eating,  stops.}    Bacon,  father  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  29 

SIR  JOHN. 

Yes,  sir,  bacon  and  pork.  How  do  we  know  what  he 
eats  when  he's  in  private  ? 

CECIL. 

\_Good-humoredly. .]  At  any  rate  your  letter  does  not 
apply  at  all  to  Sir  Isaac.  He's  a  splendid  type  of  man. 

MARGARET. 
\Tryingto  check  him.~\    Now,  Cecil. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Go  on,  my  boy,  say  it.  I'm  a  fool !  Your  father's  a 
liar  and  a  fool. 

CECIL. 
I'll  not  say  another  word. 

MARGARET. 
I  don't  think  your  father  slept  well,  dear. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Slept  well?  I  never  slept  at  all.  Just  as  I  was  drop- 
ping off  into  a  doze  I  was  roused  with  the  most  infernal 
row  right  under  my  window.  At  first  I  thought  it  was  a 
riot.  Or  a  fire.  What  was  it?  My  son  escorted  home 
by  a  howling  mob. 

CECIL. 

Just  a  few  of  my  fellow  students  who'd  been  to  hear  me 
sing  ;  that  was  all. 

SIR  JOHN. 

All?  All?  I  suppose  the  whole  of  the  Hebrew  aris- 
tocracy next  door  were  on  the  balcony  to  greet  you  ? 

CECIL. 

They  were,  father.  The  ladies  excitedly  waving  their 
handkerchiefs. 


30  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Laughs  hoarsely."]  Ladies !  Ha !  The  Lady  Rebecca 
airing  her  high  born  bosom  in  the  night  air  for  a  mob  to 
stare  at. 

MARGARET. 
[Reprovingly.]   John! 

SIR  JOHN. 
Well? 

MARGARET. 
[Indicating  ULRICA  with  both  hands.~\  My  dear ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
Eh  ?    Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon,  Ulrica. 

CECIL. 

\Chaffingly  to  SIR  JOHN.]  Remember — the  Majesty  of 
Birth ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
How  dare  you  ? 

ULRICA. 
The  Jacobsons  seemed  delighted  with  Cecil's  success. 

SIR  JOHN. 
I'd  rather  he'd  make  a  failure. 

CECIL. 
Thank  you. 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  shall  never  reconcile  myself  to  the  idea  that  a  Cots- 
wold,  the  last  of  his  race — must  humbly  and  delightedly 
bow  to  every  cobbler's  apprentice  who  had  paid  sixpence 
to  hear  him  sing  indifferent  music. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  31 

CECIL. 
Indifferent!     Mozart! 

SIR  JOHN. 

Well,  then,  to  hear  him  sing  good  music  indifferently 
— if  you  prefer  it.  \_To  MARGARET.  ULRICA  drinks  cof- 
fee^ That  in  my  worthless  opinion,  sir,  is  a  degradation 
— a  damn  degradation I  beg  your  pardon,  Ulrica. 

CECIL. 
May  I  say  one  word  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

You  just  promised  you  wouldn't.  But  go  on.  The 
father  may  not  be  heard — but  the  son  must  be.  Go  on. 
Out  with  it,  out  with  it,  out  with  it.  \Sits  back. 

CECIL. 

I  stayed  away  all  these  years  because  I  didn't  care  to 
come  back  home  until  I  had  succeeded. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Ah! 

CECIL. 
Well,  I  have  succeeded. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Exactly. 

CECIL. 
Read  the  newspapers  this  morning ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
I  never  read  the  newspapers. 

CECIL. 
Except  The  Times. 


32  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

The  Times  isn't  a  newspaper.  It  is  a  dignified  guider 
of  public  opinion  ;  a  broom  that  sweeps  the  country  clean, 
sir.  That's  what  The  Times  is,  sir,  a  broom,  sir. 

[Eats  sandwich. 

CECIL. 

Well,  even  The  Times  treats  me  generously.  Read 
what  it  says.  [SIR  JOHN  takes  "The  Times  "  and  flings  it 
across  the  room.  CECIL  looks  at  MARGARET  and  ULRICA  ; 
they  give  him  imploring  glances  not  to  anger  SIR  JOHN.] 
On  all  sides  I  have  been  treated  courteously,  congratu- 
lated, feted,  encouraged.  Until  I  come  home — until  I 
meet  my  father. 

SIR  JOHN. 

{Calmly .1  My  boy — out  with  it.  Say  it.  I'm  a  fool, 
your  father  s  a  fool. 

CECIL. 

[Jumping  up.~]   Oh,  if  you  can't  be  reasonable 

[MARGARET  puts  her  hand  on  his  arm. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[To  MARGARET.]  You  hear  that?  [To  ULRICA.]  You 
see,  my  child  ? 

CECIL. 

For  heaven's  sake,  father,  don't  let  us  quarrel  the 
first  day  I'm  home.  I  have  to  earn  my  living.  We're 
poor 

SIR  JOHN. 
Ha !     Now  he  throws  my  poverty  in  my  face  ! 


TEE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  33 

CECIL. 

[Sits;  then  speaks.'}  No,  I  don't.  I  sympathize  with 
you. 

SIR  JOHN 
I  don't  want  your  sympathy. 

CECIL. 
I'm  going  to  relieve  your  poverty. 

SIR  JOHN. 
You,  sir?     Relieve  me!     How  dare  you  1 

CECIL. 
Last  night's  success  puts  me  at  the  top  of  the  ladder. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Well,  I  hope  you  fall  off! 

CECIL. 

Now  that  I  have  succeeded,  won't  you  try  and  see  at 
least  a  little  with  my  eyes  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

No,  sir,  I  will  not.  I've  used  my  own  for  a  great 
number  of  years  and  I'm  perfectly  satisfied  with  them. 

CECIL. 

\JLaughing.~\  Oh,  come,  come,  father,  bury  the  hatchet. 
Let  me  sing  without  your  antagonism. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Never,  sir  !  Never  !  Sing?  As  a  living  ?  As  a  serv- 
ant ?  No,  sir.  If  you  must  sing,  do  it  in  a  choir  or  in  a 
social  way  for  your  equals.  Not  for  a  lot  of  ragamuffins 
whose  shillings  go  to  pay  your  miserable  salary. 

[Drinks  coffee. 


34  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

CECIL. 

[Rises,  crosses  to  C.,  picks  up  "The  Times"  ;  hotly. ~\ 
Very  well,  if  you  won't  give  me  your  sanction,  I'll  go  on 
singing  without  it.  And  for  all  the  money  I  can  earn. 
From  any  one.  Yes,  sir — any  one.  Even  the  Jacob- 
sons.  I  sing  there  on  Sunday  night — next  door — and  for 
a  fee — a  professional  engagement ! 

ULRICA. 
[Reproachfully^   Cecil! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Rising,  trembling  with  rage,  turns  to  CECIL.]  You 
shall  not,  sir.  You  shall  not  enter  that  man's  house. 

CECIL. 
Why  not?    Just  because  he's 

SIR  JOHN. 

A  Jew,  sir — a  damned [Distinct  look  from  MAR- 
GARET and  ULRICA.]  I  beg  your  pardon,  Ulnca. 

CECIL. 
But  what  a  Jew  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

A  knighted  one — the  more  disgrace  to  this  miserable 
government. 

CECIL. 
At  least  give  him  some  credit  for  his  achievements ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

What  achievements  ?  Beyond  making  money  ?  And 
all  his  race  do  that. 

CECIL. 

Think  what  he's  done  for  the  poor,  the  struggling! 
The  ambitious ! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  35 

SIR  JOHN. 

Show.  All  done  for  show.  To  hide  his  money-mak- 
ing. To  sneak  a  title. 

CECIL. 

He  has  no  need  to  do  that;  Sir  Isaac's  a  genius.  A 
financial  genius. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Genius !    Pah !    What  has  genius  to  do  with  birth,  sir? 

CECIL. 
I  quite  agree  with  you. 

MARGARET. 
Really,  Sir  Isaac  is  not  so  very  dreadful. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Turning quickly  on  her.~\  Are  you  going  to  begin  too? 
Have  you  forgotten  what  that  tribe  has  done  for  us? 

CECIL. 
Now,  father !     I 

SIR  JOHN. 

Silence !  His  father  had  the  smallest  hovel  on  the 
Cotswold  estate.  He  made  chairs  that  came  to  pieces 
directly  you  sat  in  them.  Paid  his  rent  when  he  could 
and  lived  like  a  rat  in  a  hole.  Now — now — forsooth  my 
Lady  Rebecca  sits  in  state  in  real  chairs  next  door  to  us. 
Her  precious  husband  practically  owns  the  estate  and  we 
pay  him  rent — sometimes.  Rent  for  our  own  property  ! 
Schah  !  I  could  tear  them  to  pieces.  Jacobson,  indeed  ! 
Jacobson  !  [Crosses  down  L. 

CECIL. 

This  is  pure  race  hatred. 


36  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Coming  back  c.]  It  is.  I  do  hate  'em — root  and 
branch. 

CECIL. 
His  daughter,  too  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Turning-  to  him.]  No,  sir.  Not  his  daughter,  too. 
She's  different.  I  don't  believe  she's  his  daughter  at  all. 

MARGARET. 
[At  table,  shocked,  indicating  ULRICA.]   John ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[To  ULRICA.]  I  beg  your  pardon.  What  I  meant  was 
there's  nothing  of  the  Old  Testament  about  Esther — ex- 
cept her  name.  But  her  father — see — Cecil — if  you  dare 
cross  their  threshold — out  of  my  house  you  go  bag  and 
baggage,  and  good  riddance,  too  ! 

CECIL. 

[Jumps  up,  turns  to  door.'}  I'll  take  you  at  your  word. 
I  go  to  an  hotel  to-night. 

MARGARET. 
Oh,  no  ! 

ULRICA. 

You  mustn't,  Cecil.  [Turns  to  SIR  JOHN.]  Father,  ask 
him  to  stay  here.  Make  him  welcome.  He's  been  away 
so  long. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Let  him  learn  to  obey  me — to  respect  me 

CECIL. 

[Up  by  door."}  That  I  will  do  better  by  keeping  away 
from  you.  [Opening  door."}  Good-morning. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  37 

ULRICA. 

[Following  him.']   Cecil.     Don't  go.     For  my  sake — 

stay! 

CECIL. 

\At  door.  In  an  undertone  to  her."]  I  must.  I've  a  re- 
hearsal of  "  Hoffman  "  in  half  an  hour.  Perhaps  a  little 
later  I'll  come  back — when  he's  cooled  down. 

[Exit,  C. 

MARGARET. 

[Putting  her  hand  on  SIR  JOHN'S  arm.']  John,  don't  let 
him  go  like  that ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

Don't  do  that,  my  dear.  I  dislike  it  very  much.  [Goes 
to  door  ;  calls  after  him, ,]  Cecil!  Cecil!  A  word — if  you 

please Here!    [SiR  JOHN  moves  down  L.  of  couch ; 

CECIL  appears  in  door.~\    Do  not  let  us  enter  into  this  dis- 
cussion with  a  spirit  of  acrimony.    [Looks;  sees  CECIL  is 

not  beside   him,    turns  to  door.~\     Here — here — here 

[CECIL  comes  down  to  SIR  JOHN.]    We  mustn't  be  hasty, 

my    boy — we    mustn't    be   hasty.     You — that  is  I . 

What   was   I   going  to   say  ?    [Remembers^    Of  course. 
You  really  wish  to  continue  to — to  sing — eh  ? 


CECIL. 

Continue!     As  long  as  there's  a  cobbler's  apprentice 
:ft  with  sixpence  to  hear  me,  I'll  sing.     Good-morning. 

[Exit,  c. 


SIR  JOHN. 

Ha!  There's  a  son!  There's  obedience.  [ViNiNG 
enters  with  tray,  collects  breakfast  things  and  exits  c.] 
You  see,  my  dear;  that's  the  rising  generation.  Upon 
my  word  !  I  wonder  what  my  father  would  have  said  if 
I  had  dared \_Looks  around;  takes  cigar  from  his 


38  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

case.~\  Ulrica,  come  here.  [ULRICA  goes  to  him."]  Tell 
me  frankly.  Word  of  honor.  Never  mind  what  the 
others  say.  They  don't  matter  that [Snaps  his  fin- 
gers.'} Is  Cecil  any  good  ?  Eh  ?  Out  with  it ! 

ULRICA. 
[  Warmly.~\   I  never  heard  any  one  sing  like  him. 

[Clasping  her  hands, 

SIR  JOHN. 
That  might  mean  anything  !     Good  or  bad  ? 

ULRICA. 
He's  magnificent ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Disappointed,  yet  half  pleased.]    Do  you  really  think 
so,  eh  ? 

ULRICA. 
I  do. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Moves  restlessly  a  pace  or  two  ;  stops."}    Ulrica  !     Get 
three  seats  for  to-morrow  night. 

ULRICA. 
[Joyfully;  turns.']    Father! 

SIR  JOHN. 

But  in  as  dark  a  box  as  possible.     I  don't  want  to  be 
seen,  mind. 

ULRICA. 

[Turns  to  MARGARET,  who  is  at  sideboard^    Mother! 
We're  going  to  the  opera  to-morrow  night  to  hear  Cecil. 

MARGARET. 
Wt,  sear? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  39 

ULRICA. 
Father  is  going  too. 

MARGARET. 
[Comes  c.,  tears  in  her  eyes]   Oh,  John  ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Goes  c.  to  her;  sharply.]   What's  the  matter? 

MARGARET. 
You've  forgiven  Cecil? 

SIR  JOHN. 

No,  I've  not.  I'll  wait  until  I  hear  him  sing  first. 
That  may  be  harder  to  forgive  than  his  disobedience. 
[  Turns  up  R.]  Where  are  the  matches  ?  Where  are  the 
matches  ?  \_He  goes  to  writing-table  and  sideboard  at  back  ; 
knocks  all  papers  off  peevishly.  MARGARET  hurries  to 
sideboard,  ULRICA  to  fender  seat ;  finds  matches.~\  For 
goodness'  sake,  tell  Vining  to  leave  them  where  they  can 
be  seen.  \_CotnesdownC.  ULRICA  brings  matches  to  him, 
C.  He  takes  them  from  her.~\  Thank  you,  my  dear. 

MARGARET. 
[At  door,  to  ULRICA.]   Come,  dear. 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Strikes  match.]   Ulrica ! 

ULRICA. 
Yes,  father.  [She  goes  to  him. 

SIR  JOHN. 

You  think  the  rascal  has  something  in  him  besides 
cheek  ?  [Lighting  cigar.]  Eh  ? 

ULRICA. 
He's  among  the  finest  singers  in  the  world. 


40  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

Dear  me  !  [Puffs  out  smoke.']  That'll  do.  [Hands  her 
the  burned  match  and  box ;  she  puts  it  on  small  table  and 
MARGARET  and  ULRICA  exeunt  c.  SIR  JOHN  moves 
about  down  R. ,  then  over  L.  ,  smoking  his  cigar  savagely. 
Sees  flower  on  floor,  L.  ;  picks  it  up  and  puts  it  on  table; 
dusts  hands.']  Sir  Isaac  !  The  damned  Hebrew !  And 
my  son  to  sing  for  him ,  to — to [Stops  in  front  of  paint- 
ing of  Lord  Beaconsfield.~\  Benjamin  Disraeli,  Lord 
Beaconsfield.  Another  Jew.  They  even  penetrate  into 
our  government.  Out  of  this  room  he  goes.  To  the 
garret.  {Moving  about.']  Sir  Isaac  !  [Picks  up  book  from 
piano. ~]  "  Children  of  the  Ghetto,"  by  Israel  Zangwill. 
Damn  "The  Ghetto."  [Hurls  it  across  the  room.]  My 
son  a  singer.  A  tramp  bawling  songs  in  the  street  his 
equal!  [Turns  to  the  piano  ;  picks  up  music  and  reads .] 
Prelude  by  Rubenstein.  Rubenstein  !  Another  of  them. 
[Flings  it  at  door  R.  Sees  the  picture  of  the  pugilist  on 
piano,  looks  at  it  through  his  eye-glass.']  What  in  the 
name  of  all  that  is  horrible  is  this?  [Reads.~]  "To  my 
pupil — Mr.  Cotswold,  from  the  heavy-weight  champion 
of  England,  Jake  Blumenthal."  [Throws  it  down  and 

stamps   on   it.']    Put   there  to  annoy  me.     To — t-to 

[Enter  VINING,  C.,  with  card  on  salver.  SIR  JOHN,  turn- 
ing, sees  him,  screams  at  him."]  What  do  you  want  ? 
Can't  you  make  a  noise  when  you  come  in  ?  Don't  creep 
about  like  a  cat.  What  do  you  want? 

VINING. 
[Frightened.']   A  gentleman  to  see  Mr.  Cecil,  Sir  John. 

SIR  JOHN. 

A  gentleman  ?  You  surprise  me.  Who  is  he  ? 
[Snatches  the  card  from  salver  and  reads  it.~\  ' '  Mr.  Walter 
Lewis."  Lewis!  Lewis!  I  wonder  if  he's  a  Jew.  I 
wonder!  Well,  don't  stand  staring  there.  Show  him  in, 
and  then  tell  Mr.  Cecil.  [VINING  exits  c.]  I  suppose 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOM  41 

he's  a  Hebrew — must  be  with  a  name  like  that.  {Crosses 
tofire.~\  Nothing  but  Hebrews  around  me.  [Goes  to  sit 
on  fender  seat ;  sits  on  cigarette  box,  picks  it  up. ]  Moses 
and  Gluckstein.  Moses  and  Gluckstein  ! 

[Throws  it  into  the  fireplace ;  stands  glaring  sav- 
agely. Enter  VINING,  C. 

VINING. 
Mr.  Lewis. 

{Enter  LEWIS  and  exit  VINING.  WALTER  LEWIS 
is  a  genial,  somewhat  common  musical  agent, 
aggressive  in  manner,  loud  in  attire.  He  has 
slightly  Hebraic  features  and  accent.  He  puts 
silk  hat  on  small  table  by  door,  walks  well  into 
the  room  over  R.,  humming  an  operatic  air  and 
smiling  in  a  confident,  self -satisfied  manner. 

SIR  JOHN. 
{Accusingly.']    You're  a  Jew,  sir. 

LEWIS. 

{In  absolute  astonishment,  surprised  into  a  slight  Jewish 
intonation,]    I  beg  your  pardon.     I'm  a  Presbyterian. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Then  there  must  have  been  a  mistake  at  your  baptism. 

LEWIS. 
Well,  upon  my 

SIR  JOHN. 
You  wish  to  speak  to  my  son  ? 

LEWIS. 

Mr.  Cecil,  yes;  but — have  I  the  honor  of  addressing 
Sir  John  Cotswold  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
You  have,  sir ! 


42  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

LEWIS. 

[Effusively  holding  out  his  hand.'}  Delighted.  My 
warmest  and  heartiest  congratulations. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Drawing  back  and  looking  indignantly.']  Congratula- 
tions? For  what,  sir? 

LEWIS. 

Your  son — last  night !  [Kisses  his  fingers.~\  Superb ! 
Weren't  you  there? 

SIR  JOHN. 
No,  I  was  not. 

LEWIS. 

No,  really?  He's  the  operatic  idol  of  the  hour.  The 
papers  this  morning  !  Oh,  the  papers !  full  of  him.  Ab- 
solutely full ! 

[  Taking  out  press  cuttings. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Ha! 

LEWIS. 
Columns  of  praise  !     Columns ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
I'm  damn  sorry  to  hear  it ! 

LEWIS. 
[Horrified]   Sir? 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  say,  I'm  damn  sorry.  Isn't  that  plain,  sir?  Damn 
sorry. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  43 

LEWIS. 

Well,  upon  my 

[Enter  CECIL  ;  sees  LEWIS  ;   is  annoyed  at  his 
being  there. 

CECIL. 

[Coming  down  to  LEWIS.]  Why,  Lewis,  I  told  you  yes- 
terday I'd  call  at  your  hotel  this  morning. 

LEWIS. 

I  couldn't  wait.  I  positively  couldn't  wait.  [Pulling 
out  press  cuttings.']  Have  you  seen  those  ?  Have  you 
seen  them  ? 

CECIL. 
[Impatiently.'}   Yes,  yes,  I've  seen  them. 

LEWIS. 

Your  fortune's  made.  Absolutely  made.  I've  a  cable 
from  America  this  morning — from  Hammerstein. 

[Pulling  out  cable. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Hammerstein  !     Another  of  'em. 

CECIL. 
What  do  they  say  ?    You'll  excuse  us,  father? 

SIR  JOHN. 

Oh,  pray  don't  mind  me  in  the  least.  Besides,  I  can 
leave  the  room.  [Going  up  c. 

LEWIS. 

[Crosses  over  to  him,  seizing  SIR  JOHN  by  the  arm."]  No, 
Sir  John — no.  Not  until  you've  heard  my  news.  You'll 
be  delighted  !  positively  delighted. 

[Puts  his  right  hand  on  SIR  JOHN'S  left  arm. 


44  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Releasing himself. ~\    Don't  paw  me,  sir.    [Pauses  ;  sits.'] 
What  is  your  news? 

\_Dusis  his  sleeve  where  LEWIS  touched  him. 

LEWIS. 

[Undertone  to  CECIL.]   Remarkable  man,  your  father. 
Positively  remarkable.     Gentleman  every  inch. 

[Getting  cable  out  of  pocket. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Dreadful  fellow.    All  hands  !    And  such  hands  !    Ha  ! 
My  son's  new  friends. 

LEWIS. 

[Reading  cable.']    Here  we   are.     "  Forty  evenings — 
one  hundred  pounds.     Hammerstein." 

CECIL. 
[Smiling.']   That's  very  good. 

LEWIS. 

Good?     Good?    Why,  it's  ridiculous.     I  won't  do  it 
under  two  hundred. 

CECIL. 
[Laughingly. ~\    You  won't  do  it?     Capital! 

SIR  JOHN. 
Well,  sir,  your  news — your  news.     What  is  it  ? 

CECIL. 
I  have  an  offer  to  go  to  America. 

LEWIS. 

Yes,  Sir  John.     He's  had  an  offer — through  me — to  go 
to  America. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  45 

SIR  JOHN. 
What?     One  moment — Mr. — Mr. 

LEWIS. 
Lewis,  Sir  John. 

SIR  JOHN. 
[To  CECIL.]    You  are  going  to  America ? 

LEWIS. 

Well,  no.  On  the  whole  he  won't  go.  [Protest  from 
CECIL.]  At  least  not  on  these  terms. 

[Tapping  the  cable. 

SIR  JOHN. 
And  I  only  hear  of  this  now  and  from  a  stranger. 

CECIL. 
These  are  only  the  preliminary  negotiations,  father. 

LEWIS. 

Negotiations  ?  Nothing  of  the  kind.  You  have  only 
to  say  "Yes,"  and  it's  all  arranged.  But  you  won't. 
Oh,  no.  Not  at  that  figure.  We'll  ask  two  hundred 
pounds  for  forty  evenings,  and  we'll  get  it. 

SIR  JOHN. 
"  We  "  ?    Are  you  going  to  sing  with  my  son,  sir? 

[CECIL  turns  away  laughing. 

LEWIS. 

[Roars  with  laughter.~\  Ha,  ha,  ha !  Ha,  ha,  ha ! 
Me  sing  ?  Splendid.  Delicious.  Ho,  hoho ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Furiously. .]  Stop  that  noise,  sir.  Stop  it !  [LEWIS 
stops  laughing."]  Do  I  understand  that  my  son  is  to  get 
two  hundred  pounds  for  forty  evenings'  singing  ? 


46  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

LEWIS. 

[c.,  roars  louder  than  ever  with  laughter^  Better  and 
better.  [Crosses  to  SIR  JOHN  ;  accents  each  word.']  Per 
performance,  Sir  John.  Two  hundred  pounds  per  per- 
formance. [  Taps  SIR  JOHN  on  shoulder, 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Springing  up  savagely.~\  How  dare  you  touch  me,  sir  ? 
Keep  your  hands  off  me.  And  don't  shout,  sir  ;  I'm  not 
deaf. 

LEWIS. 

[Holding  his  sides.~]  Oh,  that's  too  rich.  You'll  be  the 
death  of  me.  You  will,  indeed.  [Wiping  his  eyes,~\  I'll 
tell  you  what.  I'll  write  my  answer  to  this  here.  Have 
you  a  writing  table?  [Looking  around."]  Ah,  here  we 
are  !  [As  he  goes  up.~\  You'll  be  the  death  of  me.  Not 
deaf !  Splendid  !  Delicious  ! 

[Still  laughing,  he  sits  down  and  hurriedly  writes. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Turns  my  morning  room  into  an  office.  \To  CECIL.] 
Who  is  this  creature  f 

CECIL. 
He's  my  agent,  father. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Agent  ?    A  music-hall  agent  in  my  house  ? 

CECIL. 

No,  no.  Not  music-hall — operatic.  He  is  the  manag- 
ing partner  of  Lewis,  Lewis  and  Epstein. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Epstein  !  Another  of  'em.  I'm  making  a  collection  of 
steins. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  47 

LEWIS. 

[Coming  down  L.  of  CECIL.]  How's  this?  \_Reads.~] 
"  In  spite  of  my  persuasion  Cotswold  insists  on  two  hun- 
dred pounds — immense  success  last  night — advise  to  close 
at  once.  Lewis."  There  we  are.  How's  that? 

SIR  JOHN. 

"  In  spite  of  my  persuasion."  The  fellow  lies  by  tele- 
graph. 

LEWIS. 

I'll  telephone  this  at  once  to  the  cable  office.  Where 
is  your  telephone,  Sir  John  ? 

\_Looking  around  room. 

SIR  JOHN. 
I  have  no  telephone,  sir,  and  thank  God  for  it. 

LEWIS. 

All  right.  I'll  run  into  Jacobson's — I  should  say  Sir 
Isaac '  s — next  door.  [Starting  toward  door  C. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Ha,  you  know  him,  do  you  ? 

LEWIS. 

\Coming  back  to  c.]  Sir  Isaac  ?  Know  him  ?  I  should 
say  so.  Intimately.  In  musical  matters  he  does  nothing 
without  me.  He's  a  wonder.  Do  you  visit  next  door. 
Sir  John  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
No,  sir,  I  do  not ! 

LEWIS. 

Really  ?  Oh ,  but  you  should.  [  To  CECIL.]  Take  your 
father  in  on  Sunday. 


48  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 
What? 

\_Door  opens  and  MARGARET  and  ULRICA  enter. 
MARGARET  has  work-basket ;  ULRICA  carries 
roll  of  manuscript.  MARGARET  goes  to  L.  of 
table  and  chair. 

CECIL. 

[/«  undertone  to  LEWIS.]  Shut  up,  Lewis.  [Going  to  door 
C. ,  meets  MARGARET  and  ULRICA.  He  stops  and  intro- 
duces LEWIS.]  Mr.  Lewis — my  mother  and  sister. 

LEWIS. 

Charmed!  Charmed,  indeed.  \_To  ULRICA.]  Do  you 
sing,  too? 

[CECIL  opens  door  and  stands  waiting. 

ULRICA. 
[Smiling.']    I'm  sorry,  no. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Thank  heaven  for  that.  He'd  want  to  send  you  to 
Australia. 

LEWIS. 
Well,  they  give  splendid  terms  in  Australia — splendid. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Then  pray  cable  them  a  lie,  too. 

CECIL. 
Come,  Lewis.  [In  doorway. 

LEWIS. 

Ladies — Sir  John — a  pleasure  to  have  met  you.  Hope 
we  shall  meet  again,  and  soon.  How  about  a  little  sup- 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  49 

per  to-morrow  night  after  "  Faust,"  eh  ?     Suppose  we  all 
go  to  the  Savoy  ?     All  of  us  ? 

[SiR  JOHN  throws  up  his  hands  and  collapses  on 
the  Chesterfield. 

CECIL. 
Come  along. 

LEWIS. 

Well — good-day.  \_Pauses  in  door.~\  Magnificent  pres- 
ence, your  sister.  What  a  Mimi  in  "  Boheme." 

CECIL. 
Don't  talk  rot. 

[Pushes  LEWIS  out  C. ,  and  follows  him,  closing  the 
doors  after  him.  MARGARET,  with  her  work, 
sits  L.  of  table.  ULRICA  goes  to  writing  table 
up  R. ,  and  reads  the  manuscript. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Rises.  Beside  himself  with  rageJ\  The  impudent 
blackguard.  Supper  !  At  the  Savoy  !  All  of  us  !  An 
agent — a  servant !  Now  you  see.  This  is  the  type  of 
creature  my  son  associates  with.  Lewis,  Lewis  and  Ep- 
stein. Epstein!  He'll  call  next  [to  MARGARET]  and 
make  you  an  offer.  Suppose  any  of  our  old  friends  were 
calling  and  met  him  here,  what  would  they  say  ?  Suppose 
for  example  Captain  Trevor  came  back  suddenly  from 
India,  and  ran  in  to  see  Ulrica  and  found  us  hobnobbing 
with  that ! 

ULRICA. 

Captain  Trevor?  Captain  Trevor  has  been  in  London 
for  weeks. 

SIR  JOHN. 
What?     For  weeks?     How  do  you  know? 


50  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 
Esther  Jacobson  told  me. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Esther  ?    How  did  she  know  ? 

ULRICA. 
He  is  visiting  them  now. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Visiting  them !     Them  ?    Why  hasn't  he  been  here  ? 

ULRICA. 

Father,  why  shouldn't  we  face  the  truth  ?  Why  should 
anyone  visit  us?  We're  poor.  That's  the  reason,  and 
we  may  as  well  recognize  it. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Rubbish.  Poor  !  I  am — yes.  Well,  my  own  fault. 
I  know  it — your  mother  is.  Her  fault — for  marrying  me. 

But  you \Comes  to  herJ\   You're  not  poor.     You 

have  your  aunt's  little  fortune.  Aha!  I've  never  al- 
lowed you  to  touch  a  penny  of  it.  [ULRICA  and  MAR- 
GARET exchange  glancesJ]  See  what  it  is  to  have  a  firm 
father.  So,  my  dear,  if  ever  the  final  wreck  comes,  you 
at  least  will  be  safe.  Trevor  knew  it.  Asked  about  it. 

ULRICA. 

\Smiling.]  Perhaps  he  despised  poor  auntie's  hundreds. 
Maybe  millions  beckon  him. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Millions  ?    What  millions  ?     Whose  millions  ? 

ULRICA. 
Next  door. 


TEE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  51 

SIR  JOHN. 

What  ?  That [Swallows  the  word.'}  I  don't  be- 
lieve it ! 

ULRICA. 
It's  true.     Esther  told  me. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Esther  ?    He  is  paying  court  to  her? 

ULRICA. 
[Nods.]    For  weeks  past. 

SIR  JOHN. 

The  puppy.     The  contemptible  puppy.    The — the 

[Breaks  off;  looks  at  ULRICA,  softens  ;  goes  to  her ;  quite 
gently.'}    My  dear — does  it — does  it — hurt  you  ? 

[Hand  on  her  arm. 

ULRICA. 
No.     On  the  contrary,  I'm  glad. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[One  hand  on  each  ^ULRICA'S  arms,  looking  intently 
at  her.']  My  poor  Ulrica.  My  poor  Ulrica.  My  misfor- 
tunes have  hit  you  hardest  of  all. 

ULRICA. 
Don't  say  that,  father.    I'm  happy  now. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Are  you  ? 

ULRICA. 
Now  Cecil  is  home.     If  you'll  let  him  stay  home. 


52  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Change  of  manner ;  irritable  again.'}    Schish  !     Let  him 

go  his  own  way.     But — this — Trevor — and    Esther 

She  allows  him 

ULRICA. 

No,  she  hates  him  as  much  as  I  did.  But  her  mother 
encourages  him. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Ho!  Rebecca!  Lady  Rebecca!  [Goes  to  fireplace; 
angrily  throws  cigar  away.']  They  would  purchase  a  hus- 
band for  their  daughter  as  they  did  their  clothes  a  year 
or  two  ago — at  second  hand.  Second  hand,  by  God. 

The  knaves — the — the [Enter  VINING,  with  letter 

and  telegram,~\   Well,  what  do  you  want  ? 

VINING. 
A  telegram— and  a  letter  brought  by  hand,  Sir  John. 

SIR  JOHN. 

{Snatches  them.']  That  will  do.  [VlNlNG  exits.  SIR 
JOHN, putting  in  his  glass.']  Who  telegraphs  to  me? 
[Looks  at  the  envelope. ,]  Miss  Cotswold.  For  you,  Ulrica ! 

ULRICA. 
{Takes  it.']  Thank  you.     You'll  excuse  me ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
Open  it.     See  what's  in  it. 

ULRICA. 
[By  couch;  opens  it  and  reads  //.]    Adrian. 

[Blushes  crimson. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Well?     Who  is  it  from? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  53 

ULRICA. 
[Hesitating.]    No  one. 

SIR  JOHN. 
No  one  ?     What  does  it  say  ? 

ULRICA. 
Nothing. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Drily.]   What  a  remarkable  telegram — from  no  one 
with  nothing  in  it.     Let  me  look  at  it. 

«  ULRICA. 

No,  father,  please.  {Putting  it  behind  her. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Give  it  to  me. 

ULRICA. 
I  can't. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Ulrica! 

ULRICA. 
Don't  ask  me  to  do  that,  father — please. 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  want  that  telegram.     At  once !    [Pause.']    Do  you 
hear  me  ?   [Pause]   Give  it  me. 

ULRICA. 
[Resolutely.]    I  will  not ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Aghast]   What? 


54  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 

I — will — not !  [SiR  JOHN  goes  to  her  to  snatch  it  from 
her;  ULRICA  tears  it  in  pieces.~\  You  shall  not  read  it ! 

MARGARET. 
[Coming  to  front  of  table.']    M  y  dear 

ULRICA. 

Oh,  I've  put  up  with  all  these  cruel,  petty  humiliations 
long  enough  !  [To  SIR  JOHN.]  You  gave  me  no  liberty — 
no  happiness — no  friends — you  even  drive  my  brother 
away  from  me — but  this  last  cruelty — I'll  not  submit  to 
it !  I'm  wretched  !  Wretched  !  Wretched  ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Amazed.']   Ulrica  ! 

ULRICA. 

[Almost  hysterical.']  It's  from  the  only  person  who's 
shown  me  the  least  kindness  or  consideration,  and  you 
would  keep  us  apart  if  you  knew.  He's  coming  back 
to-day.  This  was  to  tell  me.  It  was  to — to 

SIR  JOHN. 
Who  is  he? 

ULRICA. 

I  won't  tell  you  !  You'd  treat  him  as  you  do  every, 
thing  and  every  one  I've  ever  cared  for.  You'd  drive 
him  away  from  me.  I — 1 — wish  I  were  dead  !  I  wish 
I  were  dead  ! 

[Sobs  as  if  her  heart  would  break  and  sinks  down 
on  sofa,  her  head  on  left  arm  of  sofa.  MAR- 
GARET goes  to  her,  back  of  sofa,  and  bends  over 
her. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Now,  my  dear,  leave  her  to  me.    [Bends  over  ULRICA.] 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  55 

Come,  come,  don't  cry !  Don't  cry !  There,  there, 
there!  You  shall  do  just  what  you  like.  [Patting  her. 
ULRICA  sobs  bitterly  all  through  this  scene. ~\  Sssh  !  Sssh  ! 
Don't  do  that.  [Turns  to  MARGARET.]  Why  do  women 
cry  ?  Ulrica,  my  dear,  stop,  stop !  I  11  buy  you  some- 
thing next  time  I  go  out.  Word  of  honor,  I  will.  Rib- 
bons— or  a  bonnet.  See  ?  Sssh  !  Remind  me  to  ask 
you  for  the  money.  There,  there,  there,  there  !  [She 
cries  more  quietly.'}  That's  better.  All  over,  eh  ?  That's 
better.  [SIR  JOHN  strokes  ULRICA'S  hair  and  kisses  her.~\ 
That's  right — never  again.  Never  again.  [MARGARET 
approaches  as  if  to  caress  her.~\  All  right,  my  dear,  leave 
her  to  me.  [MARGARET  crosses  back  to  L.  oj  table  L.]  All 

right,  eh  ?     Good !     Now [Suddenly  sees  the  letter  in 

his  hand]  Ah  !  I'll  read  you  my  letter.  Eh  ?  Of  course 
I  will.  Certainly  I  will.  [Fixing  in  his  glass,  opens  en- 
velope and  picks  out  a  one  hundred  pound  Bank  of  Eng- 
land note.']  What's  this?  One  hundred  pounds.  Who 
dares  to  send  me  money  ?  [Looks  at  envelope."]  Mr. 
Cecil  Cotswold.  Oh,  it's  for  Cecil,  is  it?  Who  sends 
Cecil  money  ?  [Looks  closely  at  letter.']  What  atrocious 
handwriting.  [Looks  down  at  the  signature]  Jacobson ! 
[ULRICA  looks  up  wiping  her  eyes  and  controlling  herself] 
Jacobson  sends  my  son  money  ?  Well 

MARGARET. 
Why  does  he  send  Cecil  money,  John  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Mumbles  through  the  letter.]   The  dog !     This  is  the 
last  word.    The  last ! 

MARGARET. 
What  does  he  want,  John  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
It's  infamous  !     Infamous  ! 


66  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

MARGARET. 
But  what  does  he  say  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

That  tinkering,  money-hoarding  wretch  dares  to  offer 
this — {holding  up  note~^  to  a  Cotswold. 

MARGARET. 
Let  me  read  it,  John.  {Reaches  out  for  letter. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Don't  touch  it.     Don't  pollute  yourself. 

MARGARET. 
But  we'd  really  like  to  know 

SIR  JOHN. 

And  you  shall  know.  That  stock-jobber  hires  your  son 
— hires,  mind — for  one  hundred  pounds  to  sing  to  him 
after  his  dinner  on  Sunday  night.  {Flings  the  letter  and 
the  bank-note  down  on  the  table  and  wipes  his  fingers  with 
his  handkerchief.  MARGARET  picks  up  letter  and  reads 
i/.]  How  dare  he  !  The  mongrel !  How  dare  he  ! 

MARGARET. 
It's  a  very  polite  invitation. 

SIR  JOHN. 
It's  an  outrage.     Finish  it. 

MARGARET. 

[Reads  it  aloud.~\  "  We  should  esteem  it  a  favor  if  you 
would  delight  our  guests  and  ourselves  with  your  glorious 
art." 

SIR  JOHN. 

And  then — without  another  word — to  enclose  that. 
{Points  to  bank-note.'}  It's  bitter — bitter. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  57 

MARGARET. 
That  certainly  was  tactless. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Tactless  ?  It's — it's — there's  no  word  strong  enough  to 
characterize  it.  Hired  like  a  juggler  for  the  amusement 
of  his  grinning  guests.  [Crosses  to  bell.~\  Not  while  I'm 
alive.  I've  yet  to  see  the  day  when  I'll  permit  a  son  of 
mine  to  fall  so  low.  Paid  in  advance.  The  price  of  his 
shame.  \_Enter  VINING  at  door  C.]  Vining,  my  coat,  my 

hat,  my  gloves,  my  cane — at  once 

[Exit  VINING,  c. 

MARGARET. 
John! 

ULRICA. 
[Rises.']   Father! 

MARGARET. 
Surely,  you're  not 

SIR  JOHN. 

I'm  going  to  fling— that—  [pointing  to  note']  in  his  face 
— the  damn  chair-maker. 

MARGARET. 
[Alarmed.']   Oh,  John! 

ULRICA. 
Father,  please ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

What  are  you  frightened  about?  That  I'll  fight  him  ? 
Me?  I  wouldn't  soil  my  hands  on  him.  Although  a 
horsewhip  should  be  the  only  answer  to  that.  [Pointing 
to  letter.  VINING  enters  C.,  with  coat,  hat,  gloves  and 


58  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

cane.  SIR  JOHN  goes  up;  takes  off  dressing-gown  and 
throws  it  over  VINING' s  arm.']  Come  along,  Vining. 
Don't  be  all  day. 

VINING. 

[As  he  assists  to  dress  him.~\   You're   going  out,  Sir 
John  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Sarcastically.']   No,  Vining,   I'm  going  to  wear  these 
in  the  house.    Of  course  I'm  going  out. 

VINING. 
[Gives  g/oves.~]   So  early  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
Yes— so  early  !     Have  you  any  objection  ? 

VINING. 

But  you  usually  read  all  the  newspapers  at  this  time 
every  morning. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Bah! 

VINING. 
And  this  morning  they  speak  so  well  of  Mr.  Cecil. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Do  they  ?    Well,  you  can  throw  them  in  the  fire,  Vin- 
ing.    Throw  them  in  the  fire. 

MARGARET. 
[Anxiously."]  John !     Where  are  you  going  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
First  of  all  into  the  air  or  I'll  suffocate,  and  then — 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  59 

[goes  to  table  and  with  his  gloved  hand  takes  the  letter  and 
the  bank-note  and  puts  them  into  the  envelope  and  places  it 
in  his  breast  pocktt]  and  then — to  give  these  the  attention 
they  demand.  [Dusts  his  fingers  where  he  touched  the 
letter,  looks  closely  at  the  gloves. .]  Hello  ! 

[Takes  gloves  off. 

ULRICA. 
Father — please  don't  go  next  door. 

SIR  JOHN. 
And  why  not  ? 

ULRICA. 
Because — you  mustn't. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Mustn't!  Indeed?  You  forbid  your  father,  eh? 
Things  have  come  to  a  pretty  pass.  Mustn't !  Ha  ! 

ULRICA. 

If  you  have  any  consideration  at  all  for  me — for  my 
happiness — don't  go! 

MARGARET. 
John — I  beg  you 

SIR  JOHN. 

Silence!  I  shall  do  as  I  please.  Kindly  attend  to 
your  own  business.  Ah,  yes.  To  be  sure — Ulrica — 
you  might  give  me  some  small  change.  [ULRICA  takes 
coin  from  purse.]  I  must  buy  myself  some  new  gloves. 
[Impatiently, ,]  Come  along,  my  dear,  come  along. 
[Takes  the  money.~\  Thank  you.  Just  remember  I  o%ve 
you  this.  [Goes  up.  Gives  VINING  the  old  gloves  which 
he  holds  with  his  fingers  far  away  from  him.]  Vining,  put 


60  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

those  in  the  fire.    [Takes  hat  and  cane.     To  the  ladies.~\ 
Good-morning. 

[Passes  out  C.,  erect  and  dignified,  followed  by 
VINING.  MARGARET  sits  in  chairs.,  ULRICA 
is  by  piano,  R.  end  of  couch. 


CURTAIN 


ACT  II 

SCENE. — The  action  passes  in  the  drawing-room  of  SIR 
ISAAC  JACOBSON'S  house.  It  is  a  massive,  luxuriously 
furnished  room.  Everything  conveys  the  impression  of 
immense  wealth  and  discerning  taste,  marred  here  ana 
there  by  certain  outre  feminine  touches  in  the  minor  de- 
tails. There  is  a  solid,  deeply-recessed  door  R.,  connect- 
ing with  the  dining-room.  At  back  arches  R.  and  L. 
stretch  away  to  the  remainder  of  the  mansion. 

\_As  curtain  rises,  REBECCA  is  seated  on  couch,  c. 
TREVOR  is  standing  beside  her.  LEWIS  standing 
up  R.  with  MAXIMILIAN,  who  has  handed  him  a 
cigar  and  is  lighting  it.  ESTHER  is  heard  playing 
softly  off\.. 

REBECCA. 

Tell  me,  dear  Captain  Trevor— isn't  it  dreadful  in 
India  ?    Amongst  the  blacks? 

TREVOR. 
Not  at  all,  it's  jolly  ! 

REBECCA. 
But  they  are  black,  aren't  they? 

TREVOR. 
Very! 

REBECCA. 
Are  you  going  to  stay  in  England  now? 

TREVOR. 
I'm  afraid  so  1 

61 


62  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

REBECCA. 
Well,  you  must  take  me  over  your  barracks — will  you  ? 

TREVOR. 
Delighted ! 

REBECCA. 
I've  always  loved  the  army — and  soldiers. 

TREVOR. 
Thank  you ! 

LEWIS. 

[Comes  down.~]  Now,  that's  what  I  call  tobacco — 
try  one,  Captain  Trevor.  [MAXIMILIAN  takes  cigar  to 
TREVOR.]  You  get  nothing  as  good  as  that  in  your  can- 
teen, I'll  wager.  [Exit  MAXIMILIAN.]  Sir  Isaac  gets 
them  straight  from  the  importers — and  the  price — what 
do  you  think  they  cost  per  hundred  ? 

[LEWIS  crosses  to  TREVOR  ;  they  talk  and  go  up 
back,  L.  of  settee.  LEWIS  then  works  R.  ;  looks 
at  picture.  TREVOR  drops  L.  of  tablet.  Enter 
ADRIAN.  He  comes  down  R.  of  couch. 

ADRIAN. 
Mother ! 

REBECCA. 
[.Rises,  embraces  him.~]    My  dear  boy  ! 

ADRIAN. 
[5*1/5  beside  REBECCA  on  couch.'}   Where's  father? 

REBECCA. 

He  has  some  tiresome  deputation  or  other  in  the  Vic- 
torian room. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  63 

ADRIAN. 
And  Esther  ? 

REBECCA. 
The  sweet  child  is  playing  in  there. 

[Indicating  door  L. 

ADRIAN. 
[Jumping  up."]    I  must  see  her! 

REBECCA. 
[To  ADRIAN.]   You  know  Captain  Trevor? 

TREVOR. 
How  d'ye  do?  [ADRIAN  bows  coldly. 

REBECCA. 
And  Mr.  Lewis  ? 

ADRIAN. 

[Crosses  to  LEWIS,  R.]  Hello,  Lewis!  How's  the  mu- 
sical game  going  ? 

[REBECCA  converses  with  TREVOR. 

TREVOR. 

Game  !  Art,  sir  !  Art !  Flourishing  !  Never  better ! 
A  new  star  burst  on  us  last  night  and  eclipsed  all  the 
others — Cecil  Cotswold  !  /found  him. 

ADRIAN. 
Fancy  old  Cecil  !     Didn't  think  he  had  it  in  him ! 

REBECCA. 

Oh!  He's  a  master,  really  a  Maestro  !  Adrian — he 
sings  here  on  Sunday  night  at  the  musicale. 

ADRIAN. 

[To  REBECCA.]  Here?  Does  he?  What  will  Sir  John 
say? 


64  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

LEWIS. 

[Hurriedly  taking  ADRIAN  down  R.  REBECCA  turns  to 
TREVOR.]  Don't  mention  Sir  John's  name,  for  goodness' 
sake — there's  been  such  a  fuss  all  through  luncheon ! 
He's  written  a  letter  to  The  Times  about  Sir  Isaac. 

ADRIAN. 
About  father  ? 

LEWIS. 

Yes !  I  haven't  seen  it  myself  but  your  mother  is  so 
upset,  poor  lady  !  [Looks  at  picture  on  wall,  R.]  By  the 
way,  that's  a  fine  piece  of  work  and  no  mistake — splen- 
did !  New,  too,  isn't  it  ? 

ADRIAN. 

[Looking  at  it  casually. ,]  New,  you  vandal !  That's 
early  eighteenth  century.  [Goes  up;  looks  at  it  closely."] 
Mother !  Why  !  That  used  to  hang  next  door  in  the 
hall.  [Goes  anxiously  down  to  her,']  Did  Sir  John  sell 
that  to  father  ? 

[LEWIS  makes  signs  to  him  not  to  speak. 

REBECCA. 

Your  father  bought  it  at  Christie's  with  several  other 
objets  d"  art  for  a  mere  song — a  mere  song  ! 

[Enter  ESTHER  from  door  L.     ADRIAN  meets  her. 

ADRIAN. 
Esther  ! 

[ESTHER  meets  ADRIAN  at  back  of  couch  ;  they  em- 
brace ;  then  give  a  glance  at  TREVOR,  go  up  to 
fireplace  and  talk ;  then  walk  round  to  small  table 
R.,  where  they  sit.  ESTHER  in  armchair.  She 
plays  cards.  TREVOR  crosses  L.  to  sofa  and 
takes  up  paper. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  65 

REBECCA. 

Mr.  Lewis,  have  you  prepared  the  programme  for  our 
festival  on  Sunday  night  ? 

LEWIS. 

[Approaching  sofa.']  Well,  rather  !  And  it  will  be  a 
festival,  I  can  tell  you ! 

REBECCA. 

Captain  Trevor,  Mr.  Lewis  is  the  royal  agent.  Does 
all  the  command  performances — for  the  King — at  Sand- 
ringham  and  Buckingham  Palace.  Don't  you,  Mr. 
Lewis  ? 

LEWIS. 

I  should  say  so  !  [To  TREVOR,  pointing  to  sleeve-links.'] 
Have  you  seen  these,  Captain  Trevor?  Have  you  seen 
them,  Lady  Isaac?  [To  REBECCA.]  Will  you  excuse 
me  ?  [REBECCA  indicates  assent  and  listens,  crossing  to 
TREVOR.]  See  these,  Captain  Trevor?  Sent  me  by  the 
late  King — King  Edward  the  Seventh.  Oh,  we  were 
friends,  very  great  friends  ;  he  gave  me  them  for  what  he 
called  the  very  finest  concert  ever  given  to  royalty. 

TREVOR. 
Really? 

LEWIS. 

See  this  pin  ?  [Pointing  to  the  fin  he  is  wearing."]  From 
George ! 

TREVOR. 
George  ? 

LEWIS. 
Yes,  George — the  present  King. 


66  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

TREVOR. 
Oh,  yes,  of  course. 

LEWIS. 

Said  it  was  the  only  time  he  ever  heard  Wagner  really 
sung  out  of  Germany.  But  the  Emperor !  Emperor 
William  of  Germany  !  There's  a  gentleman  !  Sent  me 
a  cane  with  the  head  as  big  as  that.  [Business.]  Solid 
gold  !  Would  you  like  to  see  it,  Captain? 

TREVOR. 
Don't  bother! 

LEWIS. 

No  bother  at  all — got  it  down-stairs — never  go  a  step 
without  it.  May  I  send  for  it,  Lady  Isaac  ? 

REBECCA. 
Certainly,  Mr.  Lewis. 

TREVOR. 
Please  don't  trouble. 

LEWIS. 

Well,  I'll  show  it  to  you  as  we  go  out — it's  really  a 
wonder — a  wonder ! 

REBECCA. 

[Slight  movement  toward  LEWIS.]  Tell  me,  Mr.  Lewis, 
who  have  you  engaged  for  Sunday  night  ? 

LEWIS. 

There'll  be  Sembrich.  Zanatello,  Pachmann — and  Cecil 
Cotswold.  He'll  be  the  hit.  Do  you  know  him,  Cap- 
tain ? 

TREVOR. 
[Uncomfortably.']   Vaguely ! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  67 

LEWIS. 

He  is  certainly  a  wonder.  London's  at  his  feet  this 
morning.  I  never  saw  a  success  like  it. 

REBECCA. 

I  am  very  sorry  for  his  sake  that  he  should  be  the  son 
of  so  bitter  and  foolish  an  old  man. 

ESTHER. 
Mother! 

ADRIAN. 
Foolish  ? 

LEWIS. 

Oh,  no,  Lady  Isaac !  Sir  John's  all  right.  Met  him 
for  the  first  time  this  morning.  Struck  me  as  the  type  of 
man  that'd  grow  on  one.  Quite  a  gentleman  of  the  old 
school. 

REBECCA. 

Old  school  indeed  !  Well,  when  I  read  his  letter  this 
morning  in  The  Times — directed  most  undoubtedly  at  us 
— I  made  up  my  mind.  I  said  to  my  husband,  "We 
need  his  house."  C'est  imperatif!  The  Cotswolds 
must  go !  [ADRIAN  rises."]  We  can't  have  people  on  our 
estate  who  don't  know  their  place.  Eh,  Captain  Trevor? 

TREVOR. 
Yes — that  is — er — no  / 

LEWIS. 

Funny  !  I  see  The  Times  every  morning  for  the  musical 
stuff,  never  saw  that  letter  at  all.  Now  I  come  to  think 
of  it,  I  don't  believe  I  ever  have  seen  a  letter  in  The 
Times.  I  don't  think  any  one  reads  'em  except  the 
people  who  wrote  'em. 


68  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

REBECCA. 

Pardon  !  We  read  the  letters  always  !  [LEWIS  bows.'] 
The  Cotswolds  go  next  quarter-day.  Absolutely!  \_Turns 
to  TREVOR.]  Don't  you  think  I'm  right,  Captain  Trevor? 

TREVOR. 
Ah !  Certainly ! 

ADRIAN. 

[Turning  on  TREVOR  disgustedly.]  What !  I  thought 
you  were  a  friend  of  the  Cotswolds  ? 

[ESTHER,  as  soon  as  ADRIAN  speaks,  stops  playing 
cards  and  listens  with  interest  to  scene  between 
ADRIAN  and  TREVOR. 

TREVOR. 
No. 

ADRIAN. 
You  used  to  know  them  ? 

TREVOR. 
Yes. 

ADRIAN. 
You  accepted  their  hospitality  ? 

TREVOR. 
Partly. 

ADRIAN. 

And  at  one  time  were  actually  a  suitor  for  Miss  Cots- 
wold's  hand? 

REBECCA. 
[Movement  of  protest.]  Adrian! 

ADRIAN. 

{Angrily.}  Mother,  please!  [To  TREVOR.]  Weren't 
you? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  69 

TREVOR. 
[More  and  more  uncomfortable.'}   Not  altogether. 

ADRIAN. 

Yes,  you  were — altogether.  Then,  because  they  met 
with  reverses,  you  discontinued  calling. 

REBECCA. 
\Rises;  sits  again.'}   My  dear  boy  ! 

ADRIAN. 

Just  a  moment,  mother,  just  a  moment.  [70  TREVOR.] 
Didn't  you? 

TREVOR. 
I — a — went  to  India ! 

ADRIAN. 
Have  you  called  there  since  you  returned  from  India  ? 

TREVOR. 

A — no !  It  would  be  particularly  disagreeable  to  see 
the  ruin  of  an  old  family,  so  I  stayed  away. 

REBECCA. 

[Hurriedly,  turning  to  TREVOR.]  Very  nice  and  deli- 
cate of  you,  Captain  Trevor.  Charming ! 

ADRIAN. 

[Hotly,  to  TREVOR.]  And  now  you  agree  with  my 
mother  that  Sir  John  and  his  family  should  be  turned  off 
the  estate  they  have  owned  for  generations.  Do  you 
think  that's  decent? 

REBECCA. 

[Hurriedly.'}  Oh  !  Oh  !  Don't  answer  him,  Captain 
Trevor.  Don't  answer  him  ! 


70  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ADRIAN. 

[Furiously.]  He  needn't  answer!  There  is  only  one 
word  for  such  conduct  as  his.  And  that  word  the  pres- 
ence of  my  mother  and  sister  prevents  me  from  using.  I 
shall  be  happy  to  use  it  at  a  more  favorable  opportunity. 

TREVOR. 
Really  ? 

ADRIAN. 

[Looking  him  straight  in  the  eye.~\  Yes,  Mr.  Trevor! 
Really! 

TREVOR. 
Sorry  !  [Turns  away  and  sits  L.  of  table,  L. 

REBECCA. 

Oh!  Oh!  Your  father  shall  hear  of  this.  You  bad, 
bad  boy  !  Wait  until  your  father  hears  how  you've  be- 
haved. 

[Fanning  herself.  ADRIAN  goes  down  R.  RE- 
BECCA turns  to  TREVOR  and  makes  apologetic 
gesture.  Through  the  arch  from  R.,  and  down 
c.,  comes  SIR  ISAAC  JACOBSON,  a  tall,  slight, 
distinguished-looking  man  of  from  fifty  to  fifty- 
five.  He  has  a  quiet,  masterful,  diplomatic 
manner,  a  delicately  ironic  humor  and  a  keenly 
observant  eye.  His  whole  atmosphere  is  one  of 
conscious  strength,  masked  by  his  subdued  tones. 
He  carries  a  copy  of  "  The  Times." 

JACOBSON. 

[Comes  down  L.  of  ADRIAN,  smiling  with  real  pleasure 
as  he  sees  hisson.~\  Well,  Adrian  ! 

[ADRIAN  goes  up  to  him.  They  shake  hands 
warmly. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  71 

ADRIAN. 


Father ! 


JACOBSON. 

\Shaking  hands  with  him  and  looking  at  him  affection- 
ately and  admiringly, ,]  The  scholar-athlete  !  I'm  proud 
of  you  ! 

REBECCA. 

\Turning  from  TREVOR.]  You  wouldn't  have  been, 
Isaac,  if  you'd  been  here  a  moment  sooner.  He  behaved 
abominably. 

JACOBSON. 
{Looks  at  REBECCA,  then  turns  to  ADRIAN.]    Did  you? 

ADRIAN. 
Is  it  true  that  you  are  going  to  evict  the  Cotswolds  ? 

JACOBSON. 
Evict  them  ?     Why  should  I  ? 

ADRIAN. 

Because  Sir  John  wrote  a  letter  to  The  Times,  and 
you've  taken  offence  at  it. 

JACOBSON. 

On  the  contrary.  Sir  John's  letter  deserves  some  spe- 
cial recognition.  It  is  altogether  admirable  in  thought, 
in  subject,  and  in  English. 

ADRIAN. 
But  mother  says  you're  going  to  turn  them  out. 

JACOBSON. 
Your  mother  must  have  misunderstood  me. 


72  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

REBECCA. 

[Turning  to  JACOBSON.]  What?  Misunderstood— if 
they  do  not  pay  their  rent 

JACOBSON. 

They  may  not  be  in  a  position  to  do  so  just  now.  Un- 
til they  are,  they  can  stay  just  as  long  as  ever  they 
please. 

REBECCA. 
Isaac  !     After  his  insult,  in  the  public  newspaper? 

JACOBSON. 

He  wrote  nothing  that  is  not  absolutely  true.  "The 
Majesty  of  Birth  "  has  been  my  battle-cry  for  years. 

REBECCA. 
[Furiously."}   Now  once  and  for  all,  Isaac  — — 

JACOBSON. 
[Quietly  and  firmly^]    Not  just  now,  dear. 

LEWIS. 

I  really  must  read  that  letter!  I  really  must.  You 
know,  Lady  Isaac,  Sir  John  struck  me  this  morning — I 
met  him  quite  intimately,  you  understand — on  his  own 
hearth — he  struck  me  as  a  particularly  fine  type  of  old 
buck. 

ADRIAN. 
[Indignantly^   Buck  ? 

ESTHER. 
Buck! 

REBECCA. 
Buck! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  73 

TREVOR. 


A — buck ! 


LEWIS. 

Proud  as  Lucifer !  A  pretty  well-developed  temper— 
Out  a  gentleman  every  inch  ! 

REBECCA. 

[Sitting  and  fanning  herself  and  gasping."}  Gentleman, 
indeed ! 

TREVOR. 

[Rises;  to  JACOBSON.]  Sir  Isaac,  your  son  has  thought 
fit  to  say  certain  things  in  your  absence  that  I  feel  it  is 
only  fair  I  should  reply  to  now  that  you  are  here.  I  don't 
wish  to  be  misjudged. 

JACOBSON. 
[Sitting  settee  L.]   You  may  be  sure  of  that,  Trevor. 

TREVOR. 

[Clearing  his  throat  nervously."]  Exactly  !  At — a — one 
time — I  was  a — on  a  certain  degree  of  intimacy  with  Sir 
John  Cotswold  ! 

JACOBSON. 
Yes? 

TREVOR. 

Cecil  and  I  were — a — in  a  measure — schoolmates.  But 
I — a — found  my  visits  particularly  irksome  owing  to  Sir 
John's  extreme  irritability  and  all  that.  In  short — it  was 
— a — difficult 

JACOBSON. 
Well! 


74  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

TREVOR. 

Exactly  !  Your  son  seemed  to  imply  just  now  that  my 
visits  ceased  because  a — in  a  measure — that  is  to  say — 
because  Sir  John  had  in  short — met  with  reverses. 

JACOBSON. 
[To  ADRIAN.]    Did  you  say  that  ? 

ADRIAN. 
\Firmly. ~\   I  did. 

JACOBSON. 

You  have  no  right  to  offend  any  guest  of  mine.  The 
fact  that  Captain  Trevor  is  in  my  house  is  sufficient  to 
ensure  him  courteous  treatment  from  every  one  here. 

ADRIAN. 
[Hotly. ~\   But 

JACOBSON. 

[Stops  him,  turns  to  TREVOR.]  My  son  wishes  to  apol- 
ogize to  you.  I  add  my  apologies  to  his. 

ADRIAN. 
Father ! 

[JACOBSON  turns  and  gives  stern,  silencing  look  at 
ADRIAN. 

TREVOR. 

[Very  much  embarrassed.]  Well — of  course — what  I 
meant  to  say  was 

JACOBSON. 

[Turning  to  TREVOR.]  The  matter  is  closed — with  my 
sincere  regrets. 

[Enter  MAXIMILIAN,  R.  arch. 


THE  HOUSE  KEXT  DOOR  75 

MAXIMILIAN. 
The  motor  car,  madam. 

{Exits.     LEWIS  joins  ADRIAN  up  R. 

REBECCA. 

[Jumping  up.~\  C'est  bien!  Mr.  Trevor!  Esther! 
[Steps  toward  ESTHER.]  We'll  go  for  a  nice,  petite  drive ! 

TREVOR. 
Charmed ! 

REBECCA. 
Esther. 

ESTHER. 
You  must  excuse  me,  mother.     My  head ! 

REBECCA. 
Nonsense,  child.     The  air  will  do  you  good. 

ESTHER. 
Not  to-day.     Please. 

REBECCA. 

[Peevishly."]    Esther !     Isaac  !     Please [Turns  to 

JACOBSON.]   The  air  !     Speak  to  her  !     Make  her  go  ! 

[ESTHER  motions  to  JACOBSON  that  she  doesn't 
wish  to  go. 

JACOBSON. 
[Drily.']   Probably  a  rest  would  be  better  for  her. 

REBECCA. 

[Angrily. ~]  Of  course  !  My  wishes  count  for  nothing ! 
Oh,  very  well.  [Goes  up  R.  of  couch;  meets  TREVOR  at 
arch  R.]  Come  along,  Captain  Trevor ! 

[ESTHER  crosses  to  JACOBSON,  who  pats  her  cheek 
and  motions  her  to  door  L.     She  exits. 


76  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

LEWIS. 
Which  way  are  you  going  ? 

REBECCA. 
Oh  !     To  the  Park,  eh,  Mr.  Trevor? 

TREVOR. 
Capital ! 

LEWIS. 

Well,  just  drop  me  at  the  corner  of  Park  Lane,  will 
you? 

REBECCA. 
Delighted  !  [Exit  with  TREVOR. 

LEWIS. 

[To  JACOBSON.]  I'm  getting  a  few  people  for  the  Gold- 
bergs to-morrow.  They've  just  moved  into  the  Bark- 
shire's  old  place.  Know  the  Goldbergs? 

JACOBSON. 
No !     I  do  not ! 

LEWIS. 

Oh,  nice  people — seem  to  grow  on  one — so  to  speak. 
They  sent  me  these  diamond  studs  for  getting  Violetta, 
the  dancer,  straight  from  Paris.  Oh  !  I'm  not  wearing 
them  to-day.  Show  'em  to  you  on  Sunday.  Oh,  they're 
splendid  people — made  their  money  in  oil — rolling  in  it ! 
In  money — not  oil !  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  I  will  have  my  little 
joke  !  [Shakes  hands.~\  They're  making  a  splash  with 
music,  too — and  pictures  !  Ah !  What  would  become 
of  art  in  England  to-day — but  for  us  Jews  ? 

JACOBSON. 

Us  I  [Looking  at  him.  LEWIS  realizes  and  pulls  him- 
telfup.~\  I  thought  you  were  a 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  77 

LEWIS. 

{Quickly.']  I  am  !  A  Presbyterian  !  But  at  heart  I'm 
a  Jew  ! — I  am  really  at  heart  !  {Exit  R.  arch. 

ADRIAN. 

[  Withfeeling.~\  Father,  you  surely  don't  sanction  what 
mother  is  doing  ? 

JACOBSON. 
What  is  your  mother  doing  ? 

ADRIAN. 
Forcing  that  fellow  Trevor  on  Esther ! 

JACOBSON. 

I'll  not  permit  any  one  to  be  forced  on  Esther  against 
her  wishes.  {  The  "  Hoffman ' '  music  comes  distinctly  from 
L.,  played  on  a  deep-toned  grand  piano,  with  ESTHER 
humming ;  they  both  listen.  JACOBSON,  looking  at  doori.., 
listens  and  smiles.'}  Her  head  is  better. 

ADRIAN. 

{Comes  to  R.  of  couch,  after  a  pause  through  which  the 
music  comes  very  softly."^  Please  don't  do  anything  to  hurt 
or  humiliate  Sir  John  Cotswold. 

JACOBSON. 

If  by  that  you  mean  ejecting  him,  that  I  certainly  will 
not  do.  Such  a  thought  never  entered  my  mind. 

ADRIAN. 
But  mother  said 

JACOBSON. 

I  didn't  contradict  her  so  as  to  avoid  useless  discussion. 
As  for  hurting  and  humiliating  Sir  John  Cotswold,  that 
the  British  government  has  already  done  by  honoring  me. 


78  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ADRIAN. 
Poor  Sir  John  !     He  is  humbled  now  with  poverty. 

JACOBSON. 

His  son  will  lift  that  from  him.  That  is  why  I  am  in- 
terested in  Cecil  Cotswold.  He  is  the  right  kind  of  young 
man.  His  birth  helps  instead  of  handicapping  him.  He 
is  going  to  seek  with  his  talent  the  fortune  Sir  John  squan- 
dered with  his  hands. 

ADRIAN. 

[Eagerly. ~\  How  splendid  to  be  able  to  do  that.  To 
make  one's  own  name.  To  help  one's  own  family.  It's 

fine!     It's 

JACOBSON. 

[On  couch.']  Adrian,  you  are  beginning  life.  You 
must  make  your  own  way.  You  must  work.  Use  the 
gifts  nature  has  given  you,  profit  by  the  advantages  money 
has  been  able  to  buy  you.  From  to-day  that  money 
ceases.  Just  the  bare  necessities  I'll  provide.  Nothing 
else.  Extravagance  I'll  never  countenance.  I'll  not  de- 
prive you,  my  boy,  of  the  birthright  of  making  your  own 
way  by  your  own  effort. 

ADRIAN. 
You  speak  as  if  you  doubted  me. 

JACOBSON. 

[Places  hands  on  ADRIAN'S  shoulders^]  No,  I  don't 
doubt  you.  But  Sir  John's  letter  has  set  me  thinking. 
He  has  put  his  finger  with  masterly  intelligence  on  the 
important  thing  in  life.  Birth !  The  majesty  of  birth ! 
It  should  be  ever  present.  If  one  bears  a  great  name  live 
up  to  it.  If  one  comes  of  humble  origin,  create  a  name 
for  oneself — if  one  can,  but  never  for  a  moment  be 
ashamed  of  your  origin.  I  want  you  to  be  proud  of  the 
fact  that  your  grandfather  was  a  poor  struggling  chair- 
maker  on  the  estate  I  own  to-day. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  79 

ADRIAN. 

I  am.  I  faced  all  that,  father,  at  school  and  at  college. 
Why,  my  first  school  fight  and  my  last  university  one 
were  both  about  you. 

JACOBSON. 
\Smiling.~]    Indeed?     Did  you  win  them? 

ADRIAN. 

The  first  one  easily.  The  last  one — well,  it  was  a  draw. 
But  if  my  foot  hadn't  slipped 

JACOBSON. 

[Laughs.  Slaps  ADRIAN  on  back."}  In  the  broader 
arena  of  life  you  won't  find  that  necessary 

ADRIAN. 

Father !  One  thing  more  !  In  marriage.  Would  you 
object  to  my  marrying  a  Gentile  ? 

JACOBSON. 

[Pauses;  looks  at  ADRIAN.  Reflecting.]  If  you  saw  in 
such  a  marriage  the  possibility  of  happiness 

ADRIAN. 
[Enthusiastically, ,]    Happiness  ! 

JACOBSON. 

1  wouldn't  allow  my  personal  feelings  to  stand  in 

your  way  ;  but,  Adrian,  I'd  feel  that  my  life's  work  had 
been  in  vain. 

ADRIAN. 
[Looks  up  at  him.'}   Why  ? 

JACOBSON. 
Because  I  want_y0«  to  carry  out  what  I've  begun. 


80  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ADRIAN. 
And  I  will. 

JACOBSON. 

In  such  a  marriage  you  wouldn't  find  it  easy.  Are  you 
in  love  with  such  a  woman  ? 

ADRIAN. 
Yes. 

JACOBSON. 
Whom? 

ADRIAN. 
Miss  Cotswold. 

JACOBSON. 
What !   [Astonished.']   Have  you  spoken  to  Sir  John  ? 

ADRIAN. 
Not  yet.     I  wished  to  speak  to  you  first. 

JACOBSON. 

[Shaking  his  head.'}  I  am  afraid  you  are  making  a 
heavy  rod  for  your  back,  my  boy.  He  hates  me. 

ADRIAN. 
But  if  I  get  his  consent,  shall  I  have  yours  f 

JACOBSON. 

I  don't  wish  to  dictate  to  you  as  to  your  future  life.  All 
I'd  like  would  be  to  guide  you.  But  I  should  be  sorry  ; 
more  than  sorry.  [Enter  ESTHER  from  L.  He  turns  as 
if  going,  sees  ESTHER,  goes  to  her.  Smiling  at  ESTHER.] 
How  is  the  headache  ? 

[ADRIAN  sits  R.,  dejectedly. 

ESTHER. 
[Smiling  back  at  him  ;  goes  to  Aim."]   Quite  gone. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  81 

JACOBSON. 
[Pinching  her  cheek.]   You  little  rogue  ! 

ESTHER. 
Oh,  father,  I  couldri 1 1 

JACOBSON. 
Couldn't! 

ESTHER. 
Drive  with  that  man. 

JACOBSON. 
But  your  mother? 

ESTHER. 

Mother  encourages  him.  I  hate  him.  Please  don't  let 
him  come  here. 

JACOBSON. 
He's  my  wife's  friend,  Esther. 

ESTHER. 
But  /  don't  like  him. 

JACOBSON. 

[Taking  her  hands.]  And  am  I  to  close  my  doors  to 
every  one  you  dislike  ?  If  sometimes  your  mother  does 
things  that  are  not  quite  to  your  liking,  just  remember  she 
is  your  mother.  You  understand  ? 

ESTHER. 
[Quite  simply ;  nods.]    Yes.     I  understand. 

JACOBSON. 
That's  right. 

[Enter  MAXIMILIAN,  R.  arch. 


82  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

MAXIMILIAN. 
A  deputation  from  the  Jewish  iron-founders,  Sir  Isaac. 

JACOBSON. 

In  the  library.  [Exit  MAXIMILIAN,  R.  arch.']  Part  of 
my  great  scheme.  To  compel  recognition  for  our  race 
in  every  branch  of  industrial  endeavor.  Wouldn't  you 
like  to  meet  them,  Adrian  ? 

ADRIAN. 
Not  just  now,  father. 

JACOBSON. 

Very  well,  my  boy.  [Goes  up  to  arch  R.  ESTHER 
arrests  his  attention.  He  turns  to  ESTHER.]  Don't  be 
uneasy,  my  dear.  No  one  will  be  forced  upon  you  if  you 
don't  like  them.  You  are  perfectly  free  to  choose  your 
own  friends.  [  Turning  away  up  stage. 

ESTHER. 
[Roguishly."}   And  husband  ? 

JACOBSON. 
[Stops  and  turns  to  her;  pause. ,]   And  husband. 

ESTHER. 

Dear  father ! 

[Impulsively  rushes  to  him  and  embraces  hint. 

JACOBSON. 

[Takes  her  face  in  his  hands.~\  And  he'll  be  a  very, 
very  lucky  man.  Very  lucky. 

[Kisses  her  forehead  and  exits  R.     ESTHER  comes 
joyfully  to  front  of  couch. 

ADRIAN. 
Did  you  tell  Miss  Cotswold  I  was  coming  home  to-day  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  83 

ESTHER. 
I  did. 

ADRIAN. 

I   telegraphed   her  from   Oxford  in  case  you  forgot. 
[Eagerly. .]    What  did  she  say  ? 

ESTHER. 
-Oh!" 

ADRIAN. 
[Disappointedly. .]  "  Oh  !  "  ? 

ESTHER. 
Yes— just  "Oh!" 

ADRIAN. 
Is  that  all? 

ESTHER. 
Well,  it  was  a  very  meaning  "  Oh ! " 

ADRIAN. 
Yes— but— "  Oh !  " 

ESTHER. 
She  is  coming  this  afternoon. 

ADRIAN. 
Here? 

ESTHER. 
[Nods.']  At  four. 

ADRIAN. 
[Joyfully]  To  see  me? 

ESTHER. 
[ Shakes  her  head,  quizzing  him."]  To  take  tea  with  me. 


84  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ADRIAN. 
Did  she  talk  about  me  ?     Much  ? 

ESTHER. 
No.     Hardly  at  all. 

ADRIAN. 
Esther ! 

ESTHER. 

We  didn't  have  time.  We  had  much  more  important 
things  to  talk  about. 

ADRIAN. 
More  important?    What  could be  more  important? 

ESTHER. 

Her  brother,  for  instance.  He  made — oh !  such  a  suc- 
cess last  night. 

ADRIAN. 
I  know.     I  read  about  it  in  the  train. 

ESTHER. 
Adrian,  he's  magnificent!    He's  wonderful!    He's 

ADRIAN. 
\Chaffingly.-\    Hello!     Hello! 

ESTHER. 
{Indignantly. ~\   What  do  you  mean,  ••  Hello  1  Hello! " 

ADRIAN. 

\Takes  her  hand;  they  both  sit  on  couch;  ADRIAN, 
pointing  at  ker.~]  You're  in  love  with  him  !  Is  he  in  love 
with  you  ?  Come  !  Tell  me  ! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  85 

ESTHER. 

Yes,  I  am.  He's  coming  in  to  see  me  this  afternoon. 
Fancy  !  He's  always  loved  me — always.  Oh,  I'm  so 
happy — so  happy  ! 

ADRIAN. 
[Rises;  goes  R.]   And  I'm  miserable!     Miserable! 

ESTHER. 
[Rises.]   Why? 

ADRIAN. 

Father  says  that  if  I  married  a  Gentile  he'd  feel  his 
life's  work  were  in  vain  ! 

ESTHER. 
Oh! 

ADRIAN. 
What  am  I  to  do  ?  [Enter  MAXIMILIAN,  R.  arch. 

MAXIMILIAN. 
Miss  Cotswold ! 

ADRIAN. 
[Joyfully]   Ulrica! 

ESTHER. 

[To  MAXIMILIAN  ;  exchanges  rapid  glances  with 
ADRIAN.]  Show  Miss  Cotswold  in ! 

[Exit  MAXIMILIAN. 

ADRIAN. 
[Breathlessly]    How  can  I  tell  her  ? 

ESTHER. 
[Excitedly;  turns  to  L.]    I'll  leave  you. 


86  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ADRIAN. 

No,  wait  a  moment — I  won't  give  in.  I'm  sure  when 
he  really  knows  Ulrica,  he'll  consent ;  I'll  get  her  to  ap- 
peal to  him. 

ESTHER. 

But [MAXIMILIAN  shows  in  ULRICA  and  exits.] 

Ulrica ! 

[ADRIAN  joyfully  goes  up  to  meet  her;  takes  her 
hands  and  brings  her  to  front  of  couch,  C. 

ADRIAN. 

Ulrica,  how  are  you?  I'm  so  glad  to  see  you — did  you 
get  my  telegram  ?  Come,  sit  down  here. 

ULRICA. 
Thank  you,  yes !  Tell  me,  has  my  father  been  here  ? 

ESTHER. 
No! 

ULRICA. 
\Drops  on  couch  C.]  Thank  heaven  t 

ADRIAN. 
Why? 

ULRICA. 
Something  dreadful  is  going  to  happen ! 

ESTHER. 
Dreadful  ? 

ADRIAN. 
What? 

ULRICA. 

My  father  is  going  to  call  here  to-day  !  To  insult  Sir 
Isaac ! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  87 

ADRIAN. 
Insult  him  ? 

ESTHER. 
Why? 

ULRICA. 
Because  he  feels  Sir  Isaac  has  insulted  himc 

ESTHER  and  ADRIAN. 
How? 

ULRICA. 
By  sending  that  money. 

ADRIAN. 
What  money  ? 

ULRICA. 
To  Cecil. 

ESTHER. 
[Anxiously.'}  To  Cecil !  Your  brother ! 

ADRIAN. 
My  father  sent  money  to  Cecil  Cotswold? 

ULRICA. 
One  hundred  pounds. 

ESTHER. 
Oh! 

ADRIAN. 
Why? 

ULRICA. 

To  sing  here  on  Sunday  night. 

[ESTHER  and  ADRIAN  exchange  mortified  glances* 


b8  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ESTHER. 
{Going  nearer  to  ULRICA  and  sits.]  I'm  sorry,  dear. 

ADRIAN. 
And  I'm  very,  very  sorry,  too. 

ULRICA. 

My  father's  beside  himself.  He  left  home  to  call  on 
Sir  Isaac  an  hour  ago.  So  I  sent  my  brother  a  note  to 
the  Opera  House,  begging  him  to  get  away  if  he  could 
and  come  here  at  once.  We  must  prevent  them  from 
meeting  somehow. 

ADRIAN. 
We  will !    {Determinedly.'}   I  will ! 

{Enter  MAXIMILIAN,  K.  arch. 

MAXIMILIAN. 
Mr.  Cecil  Cotswold. 

{General  movement;  all  look  at  each  other. 

ADRIAN. 
[To  ULRICA  and  ESTHER.]   Good ! 

ESTHER. 
{Breathlessly.]   Show  Mr.  Cotswold  in. 

{Exit  MAXIMILIAN. 

ULRICA. 

I'm  so  glad !  Now  all  chance  of  a  quarrel  will  be 
avoided. 

[Enter  CECIL,  R.  arch.    ESTHER  goes  to  meet  him. 

CECIL. 

{As  he  comes  in.~\    Hello,  sis {Goes  to  ESTHER.] 

Esther !  {Turns  to  ADRIAN,  down  R.  ;  shakes  his  Aand.j 
Why,  Adrian,  I'm  delighted !  Broken  all  records  at 
Oxford,  eh?  You  young  Crichton  ! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  89 

ADRIAN. 
[Reddening.'}   Oh,  I  don't  know. 

CECIL. 

Well,  what  is  all  the  trouble  about?  [To  ULRICA.] 
Have  you  told  them  ? 

ULRICA. 
Yes. 

CECIL. 
Father's  on  the  war  path,  eh  ? 

ULRICA. 
Oh,  he's  furious! 

CECIL. 

Because  Sir  Isaac  sent  me  a  hundred  pounds  ?  Why, 
he  ought  to  be  extremely  grateful  for  my  sake.  I  am.  I 
need  it.  Two  songs  at  fifty  pounds  each  !  It's  magnifi- 
cent. How  did  he  find  out  about  it? 

ULRICA. 
[Looking  down  ;  very  quietly. ,]    He  opened  the  letter. 

CECIL. 

Oh !  By  mistake,  eh  ?  [Pause.  ULRICA  shakes  her 
head slightly .]  No!  Dear,  dear!  Now  I  really  must  go 
to  an  hotel.  I  can't  have  all  my  letters  opened,  espe- 
cially just  now  when  I'm  a  popular  singer,  eh  ?  [Laugh- 
ing unaffectedly.'}  It  would  never  do — would  it  r  Well, 
has  my  father  called  ? 

ULRICA. 
Not  yet 

CECIL. 

Good !  It  might  have  been  only  a  threat  after  all.  He 
may  weaken. 


90  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 

Oh,  no.  He'll  call.  He  is  just  walking  about  trying 
to  make  up  his  mind  what  to  say. 

CECIL. 

Very  well,  then,  with  your  permission — [crosses  to 
ESTHER]  we'll  wait  here  until  he  comes.  We  mustn't 
have  any  nonsense  like  that.  It's  childish — isn't  it? 

ESTHER. 
I  think  it  would  be  a  great  pity. 

[CECIL  and  she  talk  together. 

ADRIAN. 
[To  ULRICA,  in  a  whisper.]   Ulrica,  let  us  leave  them ! 

ULRICA. 
Why? 

ADRIAN. 

Oh,  I've  so  much  to  tell  you.  And  I  can't  tell  it  here, 
with  Esther  listening  and  ready  to  burst  out  laughing  at 
any  moment. 

ULRICA. 
But 

ADRIAN. 

[ESTHER  laughs."}  There  she  goes !  Esther,  I'm  going 
to  show  Miss  Cotswold  father's  latest  additions  to  the 
picture  gallery. 

ESTHER. 

[Mischievously.'}  Perhaps  Mr.  Cotswold  would  like  to 
see  them  too  ? 

ADRIAN. 
{Furious;  turns  to  CECIL.]    Would  you? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  91 

CECIL. 
Certainly  I  would. 

ESTHER. 
[Disappointed.]   Oh! 

ADRIAN. 
{Angrily.}   Oh! 

CECIL. 

But  not  just  now.  I'll  wait  until  the  guv'nor  comes 
first. 

ADRIAN. 

{Brightens  up.~\  Yes— that's  much  better.  You'll  be 
here? 

CECIL. 

{Looking  at  ESTHER.]  Oh,  yes.  I'll  be  here.  \To 
ADRIAN.]  Don't  hurry. 

ADRIAN. 

Right !  {To  ULRICA.]  Come  along.  {They  go  up 
together.]  Ulrica!  This  is  the  decisive  moment  in  both 
our  lives. 

[ESTHER  bursts  out  laughing;  ADRIAN  and  UL- 
RICA turn  with  hurt  expression  and  exit,  R. 
arch.  ESTHER  sits  settee  L. 

CECIL. 
A  very  remarkable  young  man. 

ESTHER. 
{Laughing.]   He's  very  much  in  love. 

CECIL. 

{Comes  to  side  of  settee,  L.]  The  finest  thing  in  the  world 
at  his  age. 


92  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ESTHER. 
With  Ulrica ! 

CECIL. 
[Sits  beside  her.']   I  know. 

ESTHER. 
Do  you  object  ? 

CECIL. 
Why  should  I  ? 

ESTHER. 
/  wondered ! 

CECIL. 

Another  reason  why  the  two  old  gentlemen  mustn't 
meet. 

ESTHER. 

It's  very  hard  on  children  when  parents  quarrel, 
isn't  it? 

CECIL. 

Very.  That's  why  I  rushed  away — in  the  middle  of  re- 
hearsal. I  know  my  guv'nor  so  well.  He's  the  best  in 
the  world,  but  a  little  hot-headed.  I  don't  want  the 
breach  between  the  families  to  be  any  wider  than  it  is. 
My  dear,  dear  Esther  ! 

[Goes  to  embrace  her.     She  rises. 

ESTHER. 
Oh!     Be  careful! 

CECIL. 
What's  the  matter? 

ESTHER. 
If  my  father  should  come  in  ! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  93 

CECIL. 

All  the  better  !  Let  him  come  !  Now,  Esther — listen  ! 
[Sits  down;  ESTHER  sits.']  I  loved  you  when  I  was 
twelve,  didn't  I  ?  I'm  a  little  older  now  and  I  love  you  a 

great  deal  more.    Oh!  a  great  deal  more Now  don't 

turn  away — I'm  not  going  to  rest  until  you  toddle  up  to 
another  altar  and  say  another  "Yes,"  and  this  time  I 
won't  let  you  run  away  as  you  did  before.  I'm  going  to 
see  your  father  to-day  and  ask  his  consent — now  that  I've 
got  yours — and  I  have  got  yours — haven't  I  ?  Eh?  Say 
it [Pause.]  Say  yes  ! 

ESTHER. 
Yes. 

CECIL. 
Esther!     You  do? 

[ESTHER  gives  more  definite  nod;  he  embraces  her. 

ESTHER. 

{Realizes  her  father  s  wishes.'}  But  it  will  be  no  use  now, 
I'm  afraid. 

CECIL. 
What  do  you  mean  ? 

ESTHER. 

Father  told  Adrian  just  now  if  he  married  a  Gentile 
he'd  feel  his  life's  work  were  in  vain !  That  may  refer  to 
me  too ! 

CECIL. 
Nonsense ! 

ESTHER. 
Father  means  everything  he  says. 


94  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

CECIL. 

So  do  I  ;  and  when  I  make  up  my  mind  to  do  anything 
I  always  succeed — even  if  it  takes  years.  Well,  I'm 
going  to  succeed  in  winning  you  ! 

\_Goes  to  embrace  her. 

ESTHER. 

[Smilingly.']  Be  careful.  Tell  me,  what  were  you  re- 
hearsing? "Faust?" 

CECIL. 

Oh,  no.  That's  quite  ready.  We  do  it  to-morrow 
night.  We  were  running  through  "Hoffman"  to-day. 

ESTHER. 

\Clappingher  hands.]  "  Hoffman  "—oh,  how  lovely  ! 
I  was  playing  it  only  a  few  minutes  ago. 

CECIL. 
You  know  it  ? 

ESTHER. 
By  heart.     I  know  all  your  operas. 

CECIL. 

Then  I'll  tell  you  what  we'll  do.  [Rises."]  You  play 
"  Hoffman  "  right  through  for  me,  will  you  ? 

ESTHER. 
[Rises.}   Certainly  I  will. 

CECIL. 
[Looking  around.]   All  right ;  but  where  can  we  ? 

ESTHER. 
{Points  L.]   The  music  room  is  in  there. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  95 

CECIL. 

[Goes  to  her  ;  takes  her  hand.~\  Esther,  to-morrow  night 
I'll  sing  for  you  alone  ! 

[Looking  down  intently  at  her. 

ESTHER. 
Will  you? 

CECIL. 

[Putting  arms  around  her.~\   I  will ! 

[ESTHER  gives  a  little  sigh,  then  suddenly  breaks 
out. 

ESTHER. 
Oh! 

CECIL. 
What  is  the  matter? 

ESTHER. 
We're  forgetting  our  fathers  ! 

CECIL. 

Fathers!  Of  course  we  are.  [Sudden  thought;  tutn- 
ing  to  ESTHER.]  I  know  ;  may  1  ring  ?  [ESTHER  gives 
motion  of  assent.  He  goes  up  to  bell  and  rings.'}  Now, 
you  just  tell  the  servant  to  let  you  know  directly  my 
father  calls.  Then  I'll  go  down  and  take  him  away  be- 
fore he  can  make  any  trouble. 

ESTHER. 
Oh,  but  I'm  afraid 

CECIL. 

You  needn't  be.  Leave  it  all  to  me.  The  two  old 
gentlemen  shall  not  meet.  [Enter MAXIMILIAN  with  tray.~\ 
There  he  is — tell  him. 


96  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ESTHER. 

[Turns  to  MAXIMILIAN.]   Should  Sir  John  Cotswold 
call  on  my  father,  will  you  kindly  tell  me  first  ? 

MAXIMILIAN. 
Yes,  miss. 

ESTHER. 
If  I  am  not  here,  I  shall  be  in  the  music  room. 

MAXIMILIAN. 
[Starts  to  clear  table  R.]   Very  well,  miss. 

CECIL. 
There  !    [  Takes  her  hand.~\   Now,  will  you  play  for  me  ? 

[She  nods. ~\    "Hoffman"?   [She  nods. ~]   The  Barcarolle  ? 
She  nods.}    Would  you  like  to  ?     Certain  ?   Positive  ? 

[_He  backs  off,  door  L.  ,  holding  her  hands.  7*hey 
pass  out  L.,  leaving  the  door  partly  open,  and 
in  a  few  seconds  the  music  of ' '  Conies  d '  Hoff- 
man ' '  can  be  distinctly  heard,  played  with  great 
feeling  and  nice  discrimination.  JACOBSON 
enters  R.,  thoughtfully.  He  carries  some  papers 
in  his  hand.  The  sound  of  the  music  arrests 
him;  he  walks  down  R. ,  when  the  sound  of 
CECIL'S  and  ESTHER'S  voices  are  heard  chat- 
ting merrily.  Then  they  both  laugh.  JACOB- 
SON  pauses.  Then  he  stands  listening  to  the 
music,  smiling  with  pleasure. 

JACOBSON. 
[To  MAXIMILIAN.]   We  have  visitors  ? 

MAXIMILIAN. 
Yes,  Sir  Isaac.     Mr.  and  Miss  Cotswold, 

JACOBSON. 
Why  wasn't  I  told  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  97 

MAXIMILIAN. 
You  said  you  were  not  to  be  disturbed,  Sir  Isaac. 

JACOBSON. 
That  will  do. 

[As  MAXIMILIAN  exits  L.  arch,  REBECCA  enters 
R.  arch. 

REBECCA. 

Isaac!  QACOBSON  turns;  she  goes  down  to  him.~\  I  left 
Captain  Trevor  at  his  aunt's — Lady  Galloway's.  [Crosses 
to  couch,  sits  L.  c.]  I  do  hope  he'll  propose  to  Esther. 
Think  what  such  a  marriage  would  mean  to  us!  We'd 
be  taken  up  everywhere,  received  everywhere  ! 

JACOBSON. 

My  dear  Rebecca,  you  don't  seem  to  understand.  It 
isn't  a  question  of  who  will  take  us  up,  it  is  a  question  of 
who  we  II  take  up.  Who  we'll  receive. 

REBECCA. 

Look  at  the  advantages  such  a  connection  would  mean 
to  Adrian ! 

JACOBSON. 

I  want  Adrian  to  make  his  way  as  I  did  without  con- 
nections of  that  kind. 

REBECCA. 
Ugh! 

JACOBSON. 
I  can't  allow 

REBECCA. 

Now  let  me  alone.  My  mind  is  made  up.  I  know 
just  what  I  am  going  to  do,  indeed  I  do. 


98  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

JACOBSON. 

Don't  you  consider  my  position  at  all,  Rebecca  ?  Re- 
member we're  laughed  at  and  hated  quite  enough  already 
without  inviting  ridicule.  \Sits  beside  her. 

REBECCA. 

Really  !  You  needn't  try  to  teach  me  how  to  behave  ! 
No,  indeed.  The  idea !  I  represent  our  house  as  it 
should  be  represented.  Parbleu  !  Whose  idea  was  it, 
I'd  like  to  know,  to  hire  all  these  people  for  Sunday 
night?  Who  was  it  said  last  night  when  they  were  all 
around  Cecil  Cotswold  congratulating  him — "  Hire  him 
for  Sunday  night "  ? 

JACOBSON. 

Hire!  Sir  John  Cotswold's  son?  Hire!  Rebecca! 
Really,  my  dear ! 

REBECCA. 

Yes,  hire!  Aren't  we  paying  him  for  it?  And  paying 
him  well  ?  Who  would  think  of  giving  a  hundred  pounds 
for  two  songs  ?  Eh  ?  Answer  me  that. 

JACOBSON. 

[Music  stops.~]  A  hundred  pounds  !  Did  you  offer  him 
that  ? 

REBECCA. 

Offer  it  to  him  ?  I  sent  it  to  him.  A  nice  crisp  hun- 
dred pound  note  with  my  invitation. 

JACOBSON. 
[Rises;  aghast.~\    Rebecca!     You  didn't ! 

REBECCA. 
I  did.     Certainly  I  did. 

JACOBSON, 
[Indignantly.']    Oh! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  99 

REBECCA. 

What' 11  be  the  result?  Monday  morning  everybody 
will  be  talking  about  us  ! 

JACOBSON. 

Do  you  mean  to  tell  me,  seriously,  you  sent  Sir  John 
Cotswold's  son  a  hundred  pounds — as  you  would  to  a 
tradesman  ? 

REBECCA. 

Certainly  I  did.  Now  I  suppose  you'll  say  it's  too 
much. 

JACOBSON. 

It  is  indeed  too  much.  Rebecca,  how  could  you  com- 
mit such  an  unpardonable,  gross  breach  of  courtesy  ? 

REBECCA. 

Breach  of  courtesy  ?  To  an  artist — to  an  opera  singer  ? 
Ha  !  That  is  funny  !  Hah  ! 

[Laughs  ;  fans  herself  vigorously. 

JACOBSON. 

Remember,  the  opera  singer  is  the  son  of  Sir  John 
Cotswold. 

REBECCA. 

The  stuck-up  old  spendthrift.  He  ought  to  be  glad  to 
have  a  son  who  can  earn  so  much  money  for  him. 

JACOBSON. 

[Comes  to  R.  side  of  couch.~\  For  years  I've  never 
spoken  to  you  seriously.  I've  given  you  your  own  way 
completely,  because  you're  my  wife — the  mother  of  my 
children.  When  you've  made  our  family  and  our  name 
ridiculous  with  your  affectations,  I  never  interfered.  I 
said  to  myself,  "  It  gives  her  pleasure  ;  I'll  bear  the  ridi- 


100  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

cule."  You  bring  an  adventurer,  like  this  man  Trevor, 
into  my  house  and  force  him  upon  Esther.  Now  you 
insult  the  one  man  of  all  others  whose  feelings  I  most 
wish  to  spare — Sir  John  Cotswold.  Isn't  his  position 
sufficiently  painful  without  such  a  coarse,  wanton  humili- 
ation ? 

REBECCA. 
Isaac ! 

JACOBSON. 

To-morrow  my  door  is  closed  to  Captain  Trevor.  In 
future  you  shall  be  accountable  to  me  for  your  actions. 
I'll  not  have  my  name  made  a  whipping-post  for  the  jibes 
and  sneers  of  our  detractors  by  you. 

REBECCA. 

[Emotionally.]  You've  never  spoken  to  me  like  this 
before. 

JACOBSON. 

That's  where  I've  been  wrong.  [REBECCA  covers  her 
eyes  and  cries,  silently.  JACOBSON  looks  at  her  a  moment, 
unbends,  then  comes  down  to  her  quite  tenderly.~\  Don't  do 
that,  dear ! 

REBECCA. 

I  never  thought !  I  never  thought !  I  did  it  all  for 
your  sake — all  for  your  sake. 

JACOBSON. 

[Takes  her  hand, ,]  I  know  that,  Rebecca — I  said  more 
than  I  should  !  The  first  angry  word  I've  ever  spoken  to 
you.  But  since  I  was  a  child,  I've  always  looked  up  to 
the  Cotswolds.  His  father  helped  mine  in  a  hundred 
ways  when  we  were  poor.  Now  that  our  positions  have 
changed  let  us  try  to  help  Sir  John — not/iurth\m.  There, 
that's  all  past !  Never  an  angry  word  again  ! 

\Patting  her  hand. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  101 

REBECCA. 
[Looking  up  at  him.~\   Isaac  !     Isaac  ! 

\Enter  MAXIMILIAN  with  card  on  salver,  R.  arch, 
crossing  down  to  L. 

JACOBSON. 
[To  MAXIMILIAN.]   What  is  it  ? 

MAXIMILIAN. 
I  was  to  tell  Miss  Jacobson  first. 

JACOBSON. 
Tell  her?    What? 

MAXIMILIAN. 
When  Sir  John  Cotswold  called. 

JACOBSON. 

Sir  John  ?   [Goes  up,  takes  card  from  salver,  looks  at  it.] 
You  needn't  tell  my  daughter — show  Sir  John  up. 

[Exit  MAXIMILIAN. 

REBECCA. 
[Rises  C.]   I  can't  see  him  like  this. 

JACOBSON. 
Please  do! 

REBECCA. 
But ! 

JACOBSON. 
I  want  you  to. 

[REBECCA  sits  c.     Enter  MAXIMILIAN. 


102  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

MAXIMILIAN. 
Sir  John  Cotswold  ! 

[Enter  SIR  JOHN,  dressed  exactly  as  he  left  the  stage 
at  the  end  of  the  first  act,  save  for  a  new  pair  of 
gloves.  He  walks  determinedly  into  the  room, 
stops  short  when  he  sees  REBECCA,  bows  deeply 
to  her,  then  formally  and  frigidly  to  JACOBSON. 
Exit  MAXIMILIAN,  R.  arch. 

JACOBSON. 
[Pointing  to  chair. ~\   Won't  you  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

Thank  you — no  !  I  have  called  for  one  moment  only 
—one  !  [To  REBECCA.]  Would  I  be  asking  too  much  if 
I  begged  the  favor  of  speaking  to  your  husband  alone  ? 

REBECCA. 
[Jumping  «/>.]    Certainly  not,  Sir  John ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
I  shall  be  greatly  obliged. 

REBECCA. 
Delighted. 

[Bowing  to  SIR  JOHN,  then  goes  R.  SIR  JOHN 
precedes  her  and  goes  to  door  R.  ;  opens  it.  SIR 
JOHN  bows  to  her,  as  she  exits,  then  he  closes 
the  door.  He  turns,  comes  R.  C. 

JACOBSON. 
Thank  you ! 

[SiR  JOHN  stops,  almost  resenting  "  thanks"  goes 
to  Chesterfield,  puts  hat  down,  then  gets  envel- 
ope from  his  pocket. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  103 

SIR  JOHN. 

And  now,  sir !  [  Takes  envelope  from  pocket,  bank-note 
from  envelope  with  his  fingers,  lets  it  flutter  on  the  table, 
also  envelope,  then  dusts  hisfingers.~\  I  beg  to  return  that, 
if  you  please  !  {Takes  up  hat  from  couch, 

JACOBSON. 

[Astonished ;  looks  at  the  note  and  then  at  SIR  JOHN.] 
Wnat  do  you  mean  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  mean  that  I  have  pocketed  my  pride  sufficiently  to 
call  on  you,  sir,  to  settle  our  accounts. 

JACOBSON. 
Oh,  I  see.     You  wish  to  pay  your  rent. 

SIR  JOHN. 

\Loudly, ,]  No,  sir.  That  I  never  pay  !  [Pauses."]  My 
daughter  attends  to  it. 

JACOBSON. 

[Goes  to  table,  picks  up  note."]  Then  what  does  this 
mean  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

You  know  perfectly  well  what  it  means.  It  was  in  that 
envelope.  Read  it !  Do  you  know  the  handwriting  ? 

JACOBSON. 

My  wife's  writing.  Now  I  understand  perfectly.  Did 
your  son  commission  you  to  call  on  me  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

Commission  ?  Commission  !  I  would  have  you  know 
that  I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  allowing  myself  to  be  sent 
on  commissions  by  any  one.  Not  even  by  my  son. 


104  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

JACOBSON. 
But  how  did  you  get  this  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Hesitatingly.]  My — a — my  son  was  not  in.  I  opened 
it — fortunately. 

JACOBSON. 

Indeed !  You  will  forgive  me  saying  it,  but  I  am  not 
accustomed  to  opening  letters  that  are  not  addressed  to 
me — even  to  my  own  son. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Thoroughly  angry. ~]  That — that  is  my  affair.  Luckily 
for  you,  sir,  my  son  knows  nothing  of  this  insult. 

JACOBSON. 
I  assure  you 

SIR  JOHN. 

One  moment,  if  you  please.  I  stand  before  you  as  the 
head  of  the  Cotswold  family.  Insults  offered  to  any 
member  of  my  family  are  offered  to  me. 

JACOBSON. 
But  really,  Sir  John,  my  dear  Sir  John. 

SIR  JOHN. 

You  needn't  lay  so  much  stress  on  the  Sir — I  was  bom 
with  it. 

JACOBSON. 
[Quietly.']   I  merely  earned  it. 

SIR  JOHN. 

What?  Earned?  Bought,  sir,  bought  and  paid  for. 
But  let  us  finish  this  matter. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  105 

JACOBSON. 
Please  do.  [Slightly  bowing. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Excitedly. "]  Be  good  enough  to  understand  that  the 
son  of  Sir  John  Cotswold  does  not  accept  payment  for  the 
honor  of  his  visit. 

JACOBSON. 

Neither  does  one  pay  Sir  John  Cotswold's  son,  but  the 
artist,  who  also  honors  by  acccepting  the  invitation. 

SIR  JOHN. 

You  beg  the  question,  sir.  You  juggle  words.  If  my 
son  should  ever  call  on  you — which  I  hope  most  emphat- 
ically he  never  will  do — [JACOBSON  looks  at  door  L.  ; 
smiles']  if  he  sings  in  your  house — which  is  absolutely  out 
of  the  question  at  any  and  all  times — then  he  does  so  be- 
cause it  amuses  him — amuses,  sir — and  not  for  payment. 
Do  you  grasp  that,  sir?  If  you  do  not  then  you  are  but 
little  better  than  a 

JACOBSON. 

[Interrupting.']  Sir  John  !  Let  us  try  to  keep  this  dis- 
cussion within  moderate  bounds.  [  With  dignity.']  Please 
remember  you  are  in  my  house. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Ha!  Just  so.  Exactly.  Your  house.  You  do  well  to 
remind  me.  And  who  built  this  house,  sir?  My  father, 
sir.  And  who  leased  the  smallest  hovel  on  this  estate  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  wretched  living  out  of  equally 
wretched  chairs,  sir?  Your  father,  sir!  Your  father! 

JACOBSON. 
[  With  growing  heat."]   And  who  owns  the  estate  now  ? 


106  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

[In  white  heat.'}  You,  sir,  damme  !  You  !  And  how  ? 
By  what  means  ?  You  got  control  of  money — as  your 
race  always  does — and  you  buy  up  by  the  most  under- 
hand  

JACOBSON. 
Sir  John ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  repeat,  you  buy  up  in  the  most  underhand,  secret, 
and  surreptitious  way,  the  mortgages  ill  luck  compelled 
me  to  encumber  the  estate  with.  And  had  I  not  in  my 
contract  expressly  reserved  the  right  to  live  as  tenant  in 
one  of  my  houses,  you  would  have  driven  me  out  of  that. 

JACOBSON. 

{Steps  toward  SIR  JOHN,  angered  by  the  injustice  of  the 
insinuution.~\  You  are  absolutely 

SIR  JOHN. 
Take  care,  sir !     Take  care  ! 

JACOBSON. 

{Controlling  himself^  But  I'm  foolish  to  allow  myself 
to  be  angry.  Say  what  you  please.  You  can't  insult  me. 
You  can't  be  taken  seriously. 

SIR  JOHN. 

But  I  insist  on  being  taken  seriously.  I  want  to  in- 
sult you  !  You  shall  be  angry  !  I've  been  angry  for 
years !  Yes,  damme,  sir,  years  !  You  not  only  get  my 
estate  but  you  buy  up  even  my  pictures !  Look  at  that, 
sir  !  [Pointing  to  picture  on  the  wall  R.]  My  great,  great- 
grandfather !  Look  at  it !  And  blush — if  your  constitu- 
tion and  your  skin  will  permit  you  such  an  emotion.  You 
take  everything  you  can  from  me.  You  even  decoy  my 
daughter's  suitor,  Captain  Trevor.  You  buy  even  him  1 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  107 

JACOBSON. 

[Smiling.']  The  purchase  is  not  complete.  I  return 
him  to  you — debts  and  all. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Stop,  sir.  You  are  flippant,  sir.  How  dare  you !  I 
don't  allow  any  one  to  be  flippant  in  my  presence. 

JACOBSON. 
{Ironically.']   I  beg  your  pardon. 

SIR  JOHN. 

And  now — now  ! — Not  content  with  all  you  have  done 
to  harm  and  humiliate  me  with  your  ill-gotten  money  you 
must  needs  try  to  buy  my  son — buy  a  Cotswold  for  a 
hundred  pounds.  But  you  shall  not !  No,  sir !  I  may 
be  poor.  I  am  poor !  Honorably  poor,  and  I  would 
rather  be  honorably  poor,  sir,  than  dishonorably  rich  ! 

JACOBSON. 

[With  dignity.']  Sir  John  Cotswold,  you  will  oblige  me 
by  leaving  this  house. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[  With  a  scream?]   What  ?    Leave  the  house  ?    You  dare 

tell  me — you — you — you 

[  Words  fail  him.  As  he  stands  face  to  face  with 
JACOBSON,  trembling  with  rage,  almost  about 
to  strike  him,  enter  CECIL  and  ESTHER,  door 
L.,  engrossed  with  each  other,  laughing  and 
talking  merrily.  As  they  see  SIR  JOHN  ana 
JACOBSON,  they  look  at  each  other  amazed. 

JACOBSON. 
[Quietly.']   Your  son ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Turning  quickly ;  aghast.']   Cecil!     You  I    Htrel 


108  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

CECIL. 
Father  1 

JACOBSON. 
Esther ! 

[Motions  her  to  leave  the  room.    CECIL  takes  her  to 
door.     She  exits  L. 

SIR  JOHN. 
[70  CECIL.]    How  long  have  you  been  here,  sir? 

CECIL. 

That's  exactly  what  I  was  going  to  ask  you.  How  do 
you  do,  Sir  Isaac  ? 

[Crosses  to  JACOBSON,  offering  his  hand. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Don't  touch  his  hand.  I  forbid  you.  We've  been  in- 
sulted, grossly  insulted  by  this  man.  There,  sir — look  at 

it \_Pointing  to  note.~\   Look  at  it.     The  price  of  your 

degradation.     Hired  like  a  juggler  at  a  fair ! 

CECIL. 

My  dear  father,  even  if  you  do  open  letters  that  are 
addressed  to  me,  please  leave  the  answering  of  them  to 
me. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Very  well.  Give  that  man  his  answer.  Now.  He 
sends  you  one  hundred  pounds  to  sing  to  him  on  Sunday 
night ! — Give  him  his  answer  ! 

CECIL. 

[To  JACOBSON.]  Sir  Isaac,  I  accept  your  invitation 
with  my  best  thanks  ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

What  ?  You  accept  ?  And  the  money  ?  You  accept 
that  too  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  109 

CECIL. 

Certainly.     It's  my  means  of  livelihood \Turn- 

ing  to  JACOBSON.]  I  accept  not  merely  your  invitation, 
but  your  payment,  Sir  Isaac.  I  know  perfectly  well  the 
instinct  that  prompted  your  offer.  It  was  one  of  kindli- 
ness— not  of  insult,  and  I  apologize  to  you  for  my  father's 
attitude  and  speech. 

SIR  JOHN. 
You?    Apologize  for  me!     After  that — you — may  go 

to  the 

« 

CECIL. 

One  moment,  father.  I  wish  you  to  hear  this,  too. 
[7b  JACOBSON.]  Sir  Isaac,  I  ask  you  for  your  daughter's 
hand.  [JACOBSON  surprised. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Cecil ! 

CECIL. 
{To  JACOBSON.]    Have  I  your  consent? 

SIR  JOHN. 

You  haven't  mine,  sir.  Marry  into  this  family  ?  You 
do,  sir,  and  I'll  disown  you.  Marry  that  man's  daughter 
and  you  never  enter  my  house  or  look  on  my  face  again. 
Now  choose. 

CECIL. 

My  choice  is  made,  father  !  With  Sir  Isaac's  consent 
I  wish  to  make  Miss  Jacobson  my  wife. 

[Turns  to  JACOBSON. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Very  well.     I  leave  you  to  your  Jewish  friends.     To 

think    that   a    Cotswold — a — a — a    Cotswold — a — a 

[Breaks  into  hysterical  laughter.     ULRICA  and  ADRIAN 


110  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

walk  in  radiant  and  happy,  absorbed  in  each  other.  SIR 
JOHN'S  laughter  arrests  them.  They  look  in  amazement '.] 
Ulrica !  What  are  you  doing  in  this  house  ? 

ADRIAN. 

[Entirely  misreading  the  situation.  Mistaking  SIR 
JOHN'S  laughter  for  friendliness,  rushes  forward.']  My  dear 
Sir  John  !  [Stretching  out  his  hands.~\  You  are  the  one 
man  of  all  men  I  most  wish  to  see ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Hands  behind  his  back.~]   Who  are  you,  sir? 

ADRIAN. 

Adrian,  Sir  John  !  Adrian  Jacobson !  Oh,  but  I  am 
glad  you  are  here  !  Glad  indeed  to  find  you  visiting  my 
father  in  such  a  nice,  friendly  way. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Friendly !    Nice ! 

ADRIAN. 

[Turning  to  SIR  JOHN.]  And  I'll  tell  you  why  I'm 
glad.  I  am  going  to  ask  you  the  greatest  favor  one  man 
can  do  another — to  make  his  whole  life  happy.  To  make 
two  people  happy — Sir  John,  I  want  to  marry  your 
daughter.  What  do  you  say  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Beside  himself.']  Say  !  This,  sir  !  This !  I'd  rather 
see  her  dead,  sir.  Yes,  dead!  My  daughter?  You! 

t  Looking  at  JACOBSON.]    His  son  !     Ulrica — come  here  ! 
ULRICA  comes  to  his  L.]    Never — never  in  my  lifetime 
cross  the  threshold  of  this  house  again  or  speak  to  any 
member  of  this  disgraceful  family. 

ULRICA. 
Father ! 


THE  HQUSE  NEXT  DOOR  111 

ADRIAN. 

Sir  John! 

SIR  JOHN. 

Silence !  Come,  Ulrica !  [SIR  JOHN  takes  ULRICA  by 
her  right  hand ;  she  is  on  his  L.  They  cross  behind  couch 
R.  ADRIAN  sinks  in  chair  L.  ;  CECIL  crosses  up  to  back 
of  his  chair  and  consoles  him,  and  crosses  to  back  of  sofa. 
J  ACOBSON  steps  up  to  back  of  small  chair  by  table  R.]  Sir 
Isaac  Jacobson,  this  I  trust  will  be  the  last  time  1  shall 
ever  have  the  unpleasant  necessity  of  speaking  to  you ! 
Let  me  pay  you  a  tribute !  At  least  you  are  thorough. 
You  would  buy  my  family  as  you  did  my  mortgages — 
behind  my  back.  Well,  sir,  let  me  tell  you  this,  you  can 
buy  my  estate,  my  furniture,  my  pictures,  everything  that 
has  value  to  me — even  my  son — but  my  daughter — \J>uts 
his  right  arm  around  her  shoulder]  you  cannot  buy  !  The 
one  tie  left  me  that  you  with  all  your  money  cannot  break. 
The  rest  I  leave  in  your  hands ! 

[  Turns  with  ULRICA  to  go. 

JACOBSON. 

One  moment  !  [ULRICA  and  SIR  JOHN  stop  and  turn."] 
Vou  say  I  am  thorough  !  You  would  rather  see  your 
daughter  dead  than  a  member  of  my  family — I  entirely 
agree  with  you,  Sir  John  Cotswold !  You  echo  exactly 
my  own  feelings  !  Such  a  marriage  would  be  to  me  the 
profoundest  humiliation  !  Have  no  fear !  None  of  my 
family  will  ever  mate  with  yours !  And  in  this,  believe 
me,  I  shall  indeed  be — thorough  ! 

[SiR  JOHN  clutches  ULRICA'S  arm  and  almost 
staggers ;  they  turn  and  walk  up  to  R.  arch. 
The  Barcarolle  is  heard  on  piano  off  door  L.. , 
with  ESTHER  softly  singing.  CECIL  turns, 
looks  at  door  as  music  starts.  ADRIAN  watches 
ULRICA  off. 

SLOW  CURTAIN 


ACT  III 

SCENE. — Same  as  Act  I.     Three  days  later. 
[MARGARET  is  discovered  at  rise  of  curtain  listen- 
ing anxiously  at  the  door  of  SIR  JOHN'S  room 
L.     Enter  ULRICA,  c. ,  with  manuscripts. 

ULRICA. 
[Looking  at  her  mother  reproachfully.^    Mother  ! 

MARGARET. 
[Starting guiltily, .]    He  doesn't  stir,  dear. 

ULRICA. 
Let  him  alone. 

[Sits  at  writing  table  up  R.,  and  commences  to 
work. 

MARGARET. 
But  suppose  he's  ill  ? 

ULRICA. 
His  appetite  is  too  good  for  him  to  be  ill. 

MARGARET. 
[Reproachfully.]   Ulrica! 

ULRICA. 

Now  please,  mother,  I've  no  time  to  fret  over  my 
father's  temper. 

MARGARET. 

[Goes  to  chair  L.  of  table,  picks  up  needlework  and  sighs 
wearily^  He  must  be  ill.  If  he  were  well  he  wouldn't 
go  to  bed  for  days.  [Sits. 

112 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  113 

ULRICA. 

Don't  take  the  least  notice  of  him.  He'll  soon  get  up 
then.  [  Works. 

MARGARET. 

He  hasn't  even  had  breakfast  yet,  dear,  and  it's  almost 
dinner  time.  [Stitches  in  silence  ;  starts,  hurries  to  door'L..] 
Yes,  John  !  [Pause.]  Did  you  call?  [Listens. 

ULRICA. 
{Turning.'}    No,  mother,  he  didn't. 

MARGARET. 

Sssh  !  [  Warning  ULRICA  as  she  listens."]  Vining  is  with 
him  !  [Pause.']  He's  having  his  breakfast.  [Pleased.  SIR 
JOHN  is  heard  scolding  VISING  heartily.]  I  think  he's  bet- 
ter. His  voice  sounds  stronger.  [SiR  JOHN  shouts.']  Much 
stronger!  [Pause.]  Vining  is  leaving  him.  [Hurries  to 
doors  c. ,  opens  them,  goes  half-way  out  of  room,  beckons, 
calling  in  a  low  tone]  Vining  !  Vining!  [Reenters,  fol- 
lowed by  VINING  carrying  breakfast  tray.  Eagerly.]  Well  ? 
Is  he  better  ? 

VINING. 
[At  door,  shakes  his  head  sadly]   No,  my  lady,  worse  ! 

MARGARET. 
What  was  the  matter  ? 

VINING. 
The  coffee,  my  lady.     He  said  it  was  bitter. 

MARGARET. 
Couldn't  he  drink  it  ? 

VINING. 
Yes,  my  lady.     All  of  it. 


114  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 
[To  MARGARET.]  See? 

VINING. 

He  said  the  bacon  was  of  another  generation  and 
wanted  to  know  if  we  bought  it  where  we  bought  our 
eggs. 

MARGARET. 
What  is  he  doing  now  ? 

VINING. 
Reading  The  Times,  my  lady. 

MARGARET. 
[Wearily '.]    That  will  do,  Vining. 

[Exit  VINING,  c.  MARGARET  walks  sadly  back 
to  chair  L.  of  table,  takes  up  her  needlework, 
sighing  deeply. 

ULRICA. 

[At  writing  table.'}  What's  the  use  of  worrying, 
mother  ?  He  s  done  this  so  often  before. 

MARGARET. 

I  know.  When  Cecil  went  on  the  stage  he  stayed  in 
bed  for  two  weeks. 

ULRICA. 

Now  that  Cecil  wants  to  marry  he  may  stay  in  bed  for 
a  month. 

MARGARET. 

And  you,  my  dear?  He  said  you  wanted  to  marry, 
too. 

ULRICA. 

Oh  !  He  doesn't  bother  about  me.  He  thinks  that  all 
he  has  to  do  is  to  forbid  me. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  115 

MARGARET. 
[Sadly.'}   It  can't  be  healthy  to  lie  there  all  day. 

ULRICA. 

We  have  only  ourselves  to  blame.     We've  always 
spoiled  him. 

MARGARET. 
[Sighs."]   I  know.     Still  he's 

ULRICA. 

Don't   try  to  excuse   him,    mother.     I   can't !     He's 
tyrannized  over  me  quite  long  enough.     But  no  more  ! 

\_Enter  VINING,  c.  ;  inside  door. 

MARGARET. 
up  nervo 
Speak  softly 

VINING. 
[In  a  whisper.']   Mr.  Lewis,  my  lady. 

ULRICA. 
My  brother  isn't  here. 

VINING. 
\In  a  whisper.']   He  wants  to  see  you,  miss. 

ULRICA. 
Well,  show  him  in.  [Exit  VINING. 

MARGARET. 
What  can  he  want  ? 

ULRICA. 
We'll  soon  know. 


[Starting  up  nervously;  rises.]     What  is  it?    Sssh! 
>eak  softly. 


116  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

MARGARET. 
[Listening  at  doort,.~\   I  hope  he  won't  disturb  John. 

[£»/«•  VINING,  C. 

VINING. 
[In  a  whisper.]   Mr.  Lewis. 

LEWIS. 

[Entering  with   his   usual  boisterous  manner.']     Ah! 
Good-afternoon,  ladies ! 

[MARGARET  and  ULRICA  make  signs  for  silence. 
He  pauses  and  looks  from  one  to  the  other  in 
perplexity,  then  goes  to  back  of  table  and  puts 
down  hat. 

MARGARET  and  ULRICA. 
Sssh! 

MARGARET. 
My  husband  is  ill !  [Exit  VINING,  C. 

LEWIS. 
Oh!     Fm  sorry.     Sorry,  indeed.     Is  it  serious? 

MARGARET. 
We  don't  know  yet. 

LEWIS. 
Is  it  infectious  ?  [  Takes  up  hat  as  if  going. 

MARGARET. 
[Impatiently]    Dear  me,  no. 

[LEWIS  shows  relief  and  puts  hat  back  on  table. 

ULRICA. 

[Turns  to  LEWIS.]   My  brother  is  staying  at  the  Vic- 
toria. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  117 

LEWIS. 

I  know.  I'm  on  my  way  to  call  on  him.  [To  MAR- 
GARET.] You'll  excuse  me.  [Goes  to  ULRICA  ;  hands 
her  a  letter  and  winks  at  her.~\  Here  ! 

ULRICA. 
[Rises,  taking  the  letter.]    What  is  this  ? 

LEWIS. 
[Winking.]    From  next  door. 

ULRICA. 
Next  door? 

LEWIS. 

[Following  her,  nods  vigorously;  chuckles  and  winks 
again.]  Mr.  Adrian ! 

ULRICA. 
[By  couch]    For  me  f 

LEWIS. 

Rather.  Got  one  for  your  brother  from  Miss  Jacobson 
as  well. 

ULRICA. 
[Coldly]   Indeed! 

LEWIS. 

There's  been  a  pretty  how-de-do  in  there,  and  no  mis- 
take. Sir  Isaac's  on  his  dignity  now.  Says  his  children 
mustn't  visit  here  until  Sir  John's  apologized. 

ULRICA. 
Who  told  you  that  ? 

LEWIS. 
Mr.  Adrian. 

ULRICA. 
Mother,  did  you  hear  Mr.  Lewis's  news? 


118  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

MARGARET. 
No,  dear.    What  is  it  ? 

ULRICA. 

Sir  Isaac  Jacobson  declines  to  allow  either  Esther  01 
Adrian  to  visit  us  until  father  apologizes. 

MARGARET. 

John !  Apologize  !  Never  !  No  matter  how  much  he 
might  be  in  the  wrong ! 

LEWIS. 

That's  what  I  said.  His  pride.  And  I  admire  it.  I 
do,  indeed.  And  I  admire  Sir  John !  Rather !  You 
know,  Lady  John [Stare  of  surprise  from  MARGA- 
RET.] I  mean,  Lady  Cotswold — I  think  Sir  John  is  one 

of  the  finest  gentlemen — real  gentlemen 

[Loud  ringing  from  room  L. 
MARGARET. 

Sssh! 

[Hurries  to  door  L.  and  listens ;  louder  ringing 
heard  continuously. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Screaming  from  inside  room.']  Why  doesn't  somebody 
come? 

MARGARET. 
I'm  here,  John.     Do  you  want  me  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Inside  room  L.]   No !     I  don  if    Who's  in  there  ? 

[MARGARET  looks  timidly  at  ULRICA. 

ULRICA. 
[In  front  of  couch  R.,  smiling.']   Tell  him ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Inside  room  L.]  Well  ?  Can't  you  speak?  Who's  in 
there  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  US 

MARGARET. 
Mr.  Lewis,  John ! 

[LEWIS  has  very  satisfied  smile. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Inside  room  L.]    Lewis  !     Lewis  !     Outside  with  him  ! 
Away  with  the  Jews ! 

LEWIS. 
[Starting.]  Well,  upon  my 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Inside  room  L.]   Do  you  hear  me  ? 

MARGARET. 
I  hear  you,  John ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Inside  room  L.]   Send — him — away ! 

MARGARET. 
Yes,  John [Pause.']     John  !     [Pause.]     John ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Inside  room  L.,  mimicking  her.]   John  !    John  !    What 
do  you  want  ? 

MARGARET. 
Are  you  going  to  get  up,  dear  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Inside  room  L.,  angrily.]    No,  I'm  not! 

MARGARET. 

[Timidly.]    Do  you  want  anything  ?    [Pause.]    John  ! 
[Pause]     John ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Inside  room  L.,  shouting]    Go  away  ! 


120  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

MARGARET. 

[Sighs  wearily,  leaves  the  door.~\    I'm  very  sorry,  Mr* 
Lewis! 

LEWIS. 

Not  at  all.     Very  natural  of  Sir  John.     Very  natural 
indeed. 

MARGARET. 
He's  not  well.  [Sits. 

LEWIS. 
Of  course  he  isn't.     {Confidentially  over  table  to  her.~\ 

But,  Lady  Cotswold,  I'm  really  not  a 

[Loud  ringing  at  street  door-bell. 

MARGARET. 
[Starting.'}   Oh  !     What's  going  to  happen  now? 

LEWIS. 
[Nervously.'}    I  think  perhaps  I'd  better  go. 

[Picks  up  hat  and  gloves  and  goes  up  C. 

ULRICA. 

[Goes  to*vard  him.'}    Thank  you  very  much  for  calling. 
J'm  sorry  you  should  have  had  such  a  reception. 

LEWIS. 

I  quite  understand.     Pride  !     I  know.     [ULRICA  goes 
up  to  writing  table;  LEWIS  follows.'}     But,  Miss  Cotswold , 

I  m  not  really  a 

[Enter  CECIL,  c, 

CECIL. 
[Comes  down  C.]   Hello,  Lewis ! 

MARGARET. 
Sssh  !     Please — your  father 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  121 

CECIL. 

[Turns  to  LEWIS.]  I  want  to  see  you  later.  Meet  me 
at  the  Victoria,  will  you  ?  Better  still,  pick  me  up  here 
in  half  an  hour. 

LEWIS. 
[By  door  c.]   Right ! 

CECIL. 

Sorry  to  turn  you  out,  but  I've  something  very  impor- 
tant and  very  private  to  do  here  first 

LEWIS. 

\_At  door,  winks  at  him  and  hands  him  letter.]  Here ! 
I've  got  something  for  you  ! 

CECIL,. 

Eh? 

LEWIS. 

[In  his  ear.]  From  Esther!  [CECIL  takes  the  letter ; 
looks  at  him  in  amazement.  LEWIS,  with  finger  on  his 
lips;  in  door]  Mum's  the  word!  [Opens  door;  to 
ULRICA.]  Miss  Cotswold,  you  know  I'm  really  a  Presby- 
terian. "  {Exit,  C. 

CECIL. 

[Puts  letter  in  pocket  without  opening  it.]  Is  father  still 
in  oed  ?  [  Comes  down  C. 

MARGARET. 
[Sighs.]  Yes. 

CECIL. 
He  must  get  up! 

MARGARET. 
[Alarmed;  rises]   Cecil! 


138  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOM 

CECIL. 
Now  there's  no  help  for  it.     He's  got  to. 

ULRICA. 
What  is  the  matter  ? 

CECIL. 

{Takes  out  note-case  and  counts  notes.']  First  of  all, 
here's  fifty  pounds.  [Puts  it  on  table.']  That  will  pay  our 
arrears  in  rent. 

MARGARET. 

{Joyfully]  Oh!  I'm  so  glad!  Thank  you,  Cecil. 
That's  been  worrying  me  day  and  night. 

CECIL. 

Don't  thank  me,  mother.  I've  a  great  deal  to  pay 
back  yet,  haven't  I,  Ulrica  ? 

ULRICA. 
Cecil! 

CECIL. 
{Going  quickly  toward  door  L.]   Now  for  it ! 

MARGARET. 

[Rushing  between  him  and  the  door.~\  No!  Cecil! 
Don't !  Please ! 

CECIL. 

{Gently  taking  her  away  from  the  door  and  putting  her 
on  his  R.]  Nonsense,  mother  !  It's  got  to  be  done.  Let. 
us  get  it  over  at  once. 

MARGARET. 
Oh — but {Gesture  of  appeal. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  123 

ULRICA. 
Let  him  alone,  mother ! 

[Smiling.     MARGARET  wrings  her  hands  in  misery. 

CECIL. 

[Knocking  at doorL.~]  Father!  \_Pause.  Knocks  again. ~\ 
Father !  [Pause.  Knocks  and  calls  loudly  and  rattles 
locked  door.']  Father !  Open  the  door !  [CECIL,  MAR- 
GARET and  ULRICA  stand  listening.  The  doors  C.  open 
quietly  aw</SlR  JOHN  enters  fully  dressed.  He  stands  look- 
ing grimly  at  the  three  backs.  CECIL  beating  at  the  door 
violently^  Father! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Up  by  doorc.,  smiling  amiably.'}  Yes,  my  boy,  what 
is  it? 

[All  three  start,  turn,  look  at  SIR  JOHN  in  amaze- 
ment. 

MARGARET. 
\Withagasp]   John! 

SIR  JOHN. 
Yes,  my  dear? 

MARGARET. 
You  are  up? 

SIR  JOHN. 

No,  my  dear!  I'm  in  bed  in  there!  [ULRICA  and 
CECIL  exchange  glances  andsmile.~\  What's  all  this  racket 
about?  [Coming  down  to  back  of  table.'}  Eh?  [Sees 
money  on  the  table. ,1  Hello  !  Money  !  Money,  eh  ? 

[Takes  it  up. 

CECIL, 

Yes,  father! 


184  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Counts  z'/.J  Fifty  pounds.  I  never  come  into  this  room 
now  but  I  find  money  lying  about.  Who  brought  this  ? 

CECIL. 
[Steps  to  MARGARET'S  side.]   I  did,  father ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

Indeed  !  [Crosses  to  couch  R.,  handing  it  to  ULRICA,  as 
he  crosses.]  Kindly  give  it  back  to  him.  We  don't  want 
it.  Money,  indeed !  From  him!  Pah!  [Stts  couch  R. 

ULRICA. 
[c.]    It's  for  the  rent  we  owe. 

[MARGARET  sits  in  chair  R.  of  table. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Rent?    What  rent? 

MARGARET. 
Ulrica! 

ULRICA. 

Be  quiet,  mother.  [To  SIR  JOHN.]  We  have  not  paid 
any  rent  for  over  six  months. 

SIR  JOHN. 
And  why  not  ? 

ULRICA. 
Because  we  had  no  money  to  pay  it  with. 

SIR  JOHN. 

\Angrily, .]    No  money.     No ?    Why   didn't  you 

come  to  me  r 

ULRICA. 
Because  you  hadn't  any  either. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  125 

SIR  JOHN. 

Well  ?  And  what  of  that?  I  could  get  some,  couldn't 
I? 

ULRICA. 
Where  could  you  get  it  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Confused  and  irritated.]  Eh?  What?  That  is  my 
affair.  This  is  inexcusable !  Disgraceful !  [7?w«.] 
How  dare  you  allow  me — me  to  owe  money  to  Mr. 
Jacobson ! 

CECIL. 
Sir  Isaac  Jacobson,  father. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Very  well !  Sir  Isaac  Jacobson !  This  is  extremely 
painful !  It  is  bitter !  Very  bitter  !  Especially  just  now 
after  what  I  said  to  him — a  few  days  ago ! 

ULRICA. 
I  asked  you  not  to  call  on  him — a  few  days  ago. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Why  didn't  he  say  something  about  it  then? 

ULRICA. 
Because  he  wished  to  spare  your  feelings. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Spare  my  fiddlesticks !  He  wanted  to  humiliate  me. 
Well,  he  succeeded !  I  am  humiliated !  Bitterly  hu- 
miliated !  [Suddenly  hurries  across  energetically  round 
back  of  table  to  bell.  Rings.']  This  must  be  settled  at 
once !  At  once  ! 

CECIL. 
There  are  more  things  to  be  settled  than  that,  father  1 


186  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

One  thing  at  a  time — if  you  please.  JOINING  enters  c.] 
Vining,  there's  fifty  pounds.  Take  it  at  once  to  Mr. 
Jacobson. 

CECIL. 
Sir! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Catches  CECIL'S  eye;  glares  indignantly."]  Ha — Sir 
Isaac  Jacobson,  and  pay  the  rent.  And  say  that  we  are 
sorry — extremely  sorry — it  has  been  overlooked  so  long. 
Hurry  with  it. 

VINING. 

[Takes  the  money  which  ULRICA  hands  him.~\  Very 
well,  Sir  John !  [Goes  up  c. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Vining !  [ViNiNG  turns.'}  Don't  forget  to  ask  for  a 
receipt. 

VINING. 
Yes,  Sir  John.  [Exit,  C. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Relieved;  sits  R.  of  table.']  Good!  That's  settled! 
If  I'd  been  told  sooner  it  would  have  been  paid  sooner. 
Ulrica,  kindly  remember  we  owe  your  brother  fifty 
pounds. 

CECIL. 
I  owe  Ulrica  considerably  more. 

MARGARET. 
Cecil  i     Please  !    Don't ! 

CECIL. 

But  I  do  owe  it.  Father  might  just  as  well  know 
everything  now. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  127 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  should  appreciate  such  a  wide  knowledge  extremely. 
Everything,    my   boy.     However    miserable    or    bitter! 
Out  with  it !     Spare  me  nothing  ! 
CECIL. 
My  studies  cost  a  great  deal  of  money,  father ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  know  it.  A  great  deal  of  money.  They  were  paid 
for,  weren't  they? 

CECIL. 

Yes,  they  were.  But  what  you  were  kind  enough  to 
spare  was  not  sufficient — so — so  Ulrica  gave  up  her  little 
fortune  for  me  and  without  my  knowledge. 

SIR  JOHN. 

What  ?  [Pauses,  thinks,  smiles  at  her.~\  That  was  good 
of  you,  Ulrica  !  Charming  of  you  !  Kind  of  you  !  I'm 
glad  to  know  it !  Quite  glad !  Yes,  quite  glad  !  [Pauses; 
rises.']  Cecil,  my  boy,  I  withdraw  my  objection  to  your 
singing.  Sing  by  all  means  !  Make  money  by  it.  And 
pay  back  your  sister.  [Beams  on  them.~]  There  !  Now ! 
Am  I  always  disagreeable  ? 

[Sits  again,  takes  cigar  from  box.  MARGARET 
and  ULRICA  at  first  surprised  and  then  de- 
lighted, turn  and  kiss  one  another. 

CECIL. 
I  am  glad  to  have  your  sanction  at  last. 

SIR  JOHN. 

You've  got  it !  All  over  !  No  bitterness !  Do  what 
you  please  !  Anything,  anything,  anything  ! 

[Striking  match. 
CECIL. 
But  now  comes  the  most  important  thing  of  all. 

[ULRICA  has  her  arm  around  MARGARET  ;  they 
both  listen  attentively  and  in  surprise. 


128  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 
Something  else  ? 

CECIL. 

Yes.  Ulrica's  little  legacy  was  insufficient.  More 
money  was  needed  to  keep  me  abroad. 

SIR  JOHN. 
And  where  did  you  get  that  ?    Borrowed  it  ? 

CECIL. 

No.     Some  one  gave  it  voluntarily. 
SIR  JOHN. 

Gave  it !  Oho !  Really  ?  One  of  my  family  ?  That' s 
funny  !  Damn  funny  !  Which  one  ? 

CECIL. 
None  of  our  family,  father. 

SIR  JOHN. 

I'm  very  glad.  I  hate  'em  all.  Wouldn't  accept  a 
favor  from  any  of  'em.  Who  gave  it  to  you,  my  boy  ? 

CECIL. 
[Pause.']   Sir  Isaac  Jacobson. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Rises  and  stares  at  CECIL.  ULRICA  and  MARGARET 
rise  slowly,  thoroughly  frightened.']  What ! 

CECIL. 

I  didn't  know  it  at  the  time.  Lewis  arranged  it  for  me. 
He  heard  me  sing  at  Munich.  I  was  absolutely  strapped 
for  money,  hadn't  a  penny  in  the  world.  He  said  that 
he  knew  a  rich  man  who  had  done  a  great  deal  for  young, 
struggling  artists  and  singers.  He'd  bring  my  case  under 
his  notice.  He  did.  Sir  Isaac  advanced  the  money. 
Through  him  I'm  where  I  am  to-day. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  129 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Shrinks  abashed,  his  figure  dwindles  ;  all  the  fire  and 
{tride  goes  out  of  his  figure  and  voice.  After  a  pause,  in  a 
law  voice.']  How  much  ? 

CECIL. 
A  thousand  pounds. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[He  sinks  in  chair,  his  head  falls  on  his  breast,  his  fingers 
twitching  ;  he  sits  and  feebly  beats  his  knee  with  his  clenched 
fist.'}  My  God  !  My  God  ! 

[MARGARET  crosses  to  back  of  SIR  JOHN'S  chair, 
and  stands  solicitously  near  him,  watching  hint, 
hand  on  his  shoulder  for  a  moment.  CECIL 
comes  to  R.  of  MARGARET  to  comfort  her. 
ULRICA  turns  R.  by  piano.  SIR  JOHN  suddenly 
straightens  up  ;  the  life  conies  back  to  him,  he 
rises  decidedly,  crosses  round  front  of  table  and 
rings. 

MARGARET. 

[At  back  of  table,  timidly,  as  his  hand  touches  bell-rope.'] 
John,  what  are  you  going  to  do? 

SIR  JOHN. 

[At  bell.']  Do  ?  What  should  I  do  ?  That  money  must 
be  repaid  at  once.  \_Comes  round  to  R.  of  'table .]  I'll  not 
sleep  one  night  in  that  man's  debt. 

CECIL. 

{Behind  chair  R.  of  table  ;  quietly.']  Father !  Surely 
that  is  my  business, 

SIR  JOHN. 

You  are  my  son.  I  should  have  provided  enough 
money  for  your  education.  Where  is  Vining  ? 

[Rings  again. 


130  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

MARGARET. 
You  sent  him  with  the  rent. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Next  door.     It  shouldn't  take  all  day. 

CECIL. 

[Comes  down  L.  ofSiR  JOHN.]  Father !  It's  my  debt, 
I'll  repay  it. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Tshist !     I  allow  no  man  to  meddle  in  my  affairs. 

CECIL. 
But  remember — two  days  ago,  you  disowned  me  1 

SIR  JOHN. 
And  I  will,  if  you  marry  that  man's  daughter. 

[Enter  VINING. 

VINING. 
[Breathlessly."]   The  receipt,  Sir  John  ! 

[Puts  it  on  the  table. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Ha!  One  debt  removed!  Now  for  the  other !  Vining, 
my  hat,  my  gloves,  my  cane.  At  once. 

VINING. 
Yes,  Sir  John.  [Hurries  out  C. 

SIR  JOHN. 

What  did  that  man  mean  by  lending  you  money? 
How  dare  he  lend  you  money  ?  Mark  my  words,  there 
was  some  object  behind  all  this.  Mark  my  words. 

ULRICA. 
It  is  only  one  of  his  many  kindly  acts. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  131 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Turning  to  her."]  Kindly — rubbish  !  I  don't  want  his 
kindness.  Oh,  no!  There's  something  more.  For 
months  he  asks  for  no  rent.  Why  ?  He  sacrifices  a 
thousand  pounds  for  my  son's  education.  My  son's! 
And  then  he  allows  me  to  insult  him  in  his  own  house  ! 
Why  ?  Why  ?  I  tell  you  the  man  is  sinister ! 

MARGARET. 
[Agreeing  with  SIR  JOHN.]   It  is  certainly  strange ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

Strange?  It's  inconceivable.  It's — it's — bitter — bit- 
ter   Well!  [Squaring  his  shoulders.']  It  remains  for 

me   to   lift  this   mountain   of  debt.     By   to-night  every 
pound,  shilling  and  penny  will  be  repaid. 

ULRICA. 
Where  will  you  get  it  ? 

CECIL. 

Yes,  father,  where  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 

Where  ?  Where  ?  There  are  a  million  Jews  in  Lon- 
don lending  money.  Is  there  not  one  amongst  'em  who 
will  lend  Sir  John  Cotswold  a  thousand  pounds?  If  he 
gets  twelve  hundred  in  return  ?  Eh  ?  Ha  !  I  know  'em. 
They'll  jump  at  me  !  Jump  ! 

[ULRICA  and  CECIL  exchange  glances. 

MARGARET. 
[Rises."}   Oh,  but  John 

ULRICA. 
[At  same  time."]    Father ! 

CECIL. 
[At  same  time.~]   No  one  will  lend  you  — — 


132  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 
Silence ! 

CECIL. 
But,  father,  what  security  can  you  offer  them  ? 

\Enter  VINING,  with  hat,  gloves  and  cane,  which 
he  gives  to  SIR  JOHN,  then  returns  to  door  and 
holds  it  open. 

SIR  JOHN. 

My  name!    It  is  good  yet,  sir.     There  is  no  stain  on  it 
so  far.     My  name!  \_Exits  erect  and  dignified. 

MARGARET. 
\JFollowing  him  out.~]   John  !     John  ! 

[ViNiNG  follows  her  and  closes  door.  CECIL  is 
standing  by  chairs,  of  table,  back  to  audience. 

ULRICA. 

\Comes  C.     CECIL  turns  as  she  speaks."]   It  is  war  be- 
tween the  families  now,  Cecil.     No  more  visits  next  door! 

CECIL. 
How  do  you  know  ? 

ULRICA. 
Read  your  letter. 

CECIL. 
Eh?    Oh! 

{Takes  out  letter,  sits  R.  of  table  and  opens  it. 

ULRICA. 
Don't  pretend  you'd  forgotten  it. 

CECIL. 

[Laughs."]  I  hadn't.     I've  been  longing  to  read  it. 
May  If 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  133 

ULRICA. 
Of  course.  [  Watches  him  as  he  reads. 

CECIL. 
[Glances  quickly  through  it.~]   By  George,  you're  right, 

but  how  did  you ?     [ULRICA   holds  up  her  letter.~\ 

From  Adrian  ?     [She  nods^\     What  rot  1 

ULRICA. 

Isn't  it? 

CECIL. 
Father's  got  to  apologize.     That's  all. 

ULRICA. 

[Shakes  her  head]    He  won't ! 
CECIL. 

Then  I'll  do  it  for  him  !  If  it  comes  really  to  Hecuba, 
I'll  carry  Esther  off  in  spite  of  both  of  'em  and  marry  her 
under  their  very  noses. 

ULRICA. 
What's  to  become  of  me  ? 

CECIL. 
You  do  the  same  thing. 

ULRICA. 
Carry  Adrian  off? 

CECIL. 

[Laughs,]  Why  not?  [Sudden  thought.]  I've  got  it! 
Let's  have  them  both  in  ! 

ULRICA. 
Here! 

CECIL. 

Certainly.    Write  a  note  to  Adrian [ULRICA  goes 

up  L.  toward  "writing-table.     CECIL  crosses  to  bell.'\    I'll 
send  it  in  by  Vining. 


134  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 

[At  table.}    But  will  they  come  ? 
CECIL. 

Come?  Of  course  they'll  come  !  [Rings  bell}  Hurry 
up!  Quickly  as  you  can.  [Crosses  to  window.  ULRICA 
sits  and  opens  drawer  for  paper.}  By  George — they're 
going  out  together!  Where's  Vming?  [Enter  VINING 
C.  CECIL  goes  across  to  him.  ULRICA  rises.}  Vining ! 
Quickly  !  Mr.  and  Miss  Jacobson  have  just  gone  out — 
run  after  them — tell  them  to  come  here — most  important 
— say  it's  life  and  death — run !  [Hurrying  him  out  c. 
CECIL  runs  to  the  bay  window ;  excitedly.}  They're  at 
the  corner.  They've  just  turned.  Where's  Vining  ? 

There  he  goes  !    Well,  I'm Call  that  running?    Go 

on !     Go  oh !     He's  round  the  corner  ! 

ULRICA. 

But  Cecil!  Suppose  father  comes  back  while  they're 
here  ? 

CECIL. 

All  the  better.  We've  got  to  clear  all  this  nonsense 
up  some  time.  Here  they  come  ! 

ULRICA. 
[By  doorc.,  excitedly.}   I'll  run  and  tidy  up. 

CECIL. 

[Goes  to  her.}  Don't  bother  about  tidying  up.  [Sud- 
denly.} This  is  the  first  room  father  would  come  to, 
isn't  it? 

ULRICA. 
Yes. 

CECIL. 
Very  well.    Leave  this  room  to  me. 

ULRICA. 
To  you  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  135 

CECIL. 
You  go  into  the  library.     I'll  send  Adrian  in  to  you. 

\_Runs  to  ULRICA  and  opens  door  C. 

ULRICA, 
But  I  must  tidy  up. 

CECIL. 

Don't  bother  about  tidying  up  !     Hurry ! 
ULRICA. 

But— but 

CECIL. 

And  don't  stand  there  but-butting — get  out !  [CECIL 
hands  her  out,  closes  door  and  then  walks  down  C.  "  tidy 
ing  up"  brushing  his  clothes,  smoothing  his  hair,  arrang- 
ing tie,  etc.~\  The  time  women  waste  "  tidying  up"  !  It  s 
ridiculous  !  [Turns  and  is  facing  door  C.  Door  C.  opens  ; 
*«fcrViNiNG,  who  shows  in  ESTHER  and  ADRIAN  and 
exits.~\  Come  in.  How  are  you? 

[Shakes  hands  with  them  and  they  all  come  down, 
ESTHER  R.  of  CECIL,  ADRIAN  L.  of  CECIL. 

ADRIAN. 
What  has ? 

ESTHER. 
Yes — how  did  you ? 

CECIL. 
Why,  you  see  my  father's 

ADRIAN  and  ESTHER. 

Yes 

CECIL. 

Gone  to — to — well,  he'll  be  away  a  long  time.  See? 
Sit  down.  So  I  thought — that  is,  my  sister  and  I  thought 
— that  we  might  have  a  little  cabinet  meeting.  Eh?  To 
decide  on  our  plan  of  campaign.  What  do  you  think  ? 


136  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ESTHER. 
Splendid  !     But  our  fathers 

CECIL. 

We've  simply  got  to  leave  our  fathers  entirely  out  of 
the  question ;  for  a  while  at  least.  This  is  an  age  of 
children.  Fathers  have  had  their  innings.  Now  it's  our 
turn. 

ADRIAN. 

But  Ulrica ? 

CECIL. 

[Turns  to  ADRIAN.]  Exactly.  Ulrica's  the  very  per- 
son to  talk  it  over  with.  The  very  person.  Suppose  you 
go  into  the  library  and  join  her  ?  [  Takes  ADRIAN  up  to 
door  c.]  Eh?  And  I'll  stay  here  and  thrash  it  out  with 
Esther.  What?  [CECIL  walks  ADRIAN  up  to  door  C., 
passing  him  out.']  See  that  door  in  front  of  you  ?  Just 
turn  the  handle  and  walk  in.  That's  it.  Don't  knock. 
Come  back  by  and  by.  Don't  hurry,  though. 

[Closes  door  C.  ;  comes  down  to  couch. 

ESTHER. 
[Sitting  C.  of  couch."]   Oh,  but  I  feel  this  is  very  wrong. 

CECIL. 
You  being  here  ? 

ESTHER. 
What  would  my  father  say  ? 

CECIL. 
I  don't  know. 

ESTHER. 
What  will  your  father  say  ? 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  137 

CECIL. 
I  don't  care. 

ESTHER. 
But  you  must  care. 

CECIL. 

Not  a  bit.  Do  you  know  what  I'll  do  if  they  go  on 
rowing  with  each  other  ?  [Leaning  over  couch. 

ESTHER. 
What? 

CECIL. 

Get  a  special  license  and  marry  you  one  morning  before 
either  of  "em  are  up,  and  then  stroll  in  to  breakfast  here 
and  next  door  and  say,  "  Hello,  here  we  are  !  Married ! 
What  ?  Bless  us !  "  {Sits.~\  What  do  you  think  of  that  ? 
Do  you  like  that  ? 

ESTHER. 
Will  you? 

CECIL. 

Yes,  I  will. 

ESTHER. 

Oh,  that's  lovely !  Cecil !  Father  didn't  send  you 
that  hundred  pounds.  It  was  mother. 

CECIL. 
For  goodness'  sake,  let  us  forget  all  about  it. 

ESTHER. 

I  gave  mother  my  opinion  pretty  freely  just  now.  She's 
caused  all  the  trouble.  Just  think— father  defended  her. 
He  said  a  daughter  shouldn't  criticize  her  parents.  Isn't, 
that  ridiculous? 


138  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

CECIL. 
Absolutely. 

ESTHER. 
It's  so  old-fashioned. 

CECIL. 
Decidedly. 

ESTHER. 

I  think  parents  are  growing  more  and  more  impossible, 
don't  you? 

CECIL. 
Entirely. 

ESTHER. 
They  seem  to  think  it's  a  sin  to  be  a  child. 

CECIL. 

Dreadful !     Dreadful !     I   wonder  if  we  shall  be  like 
that — as  parents  ? 

ESTHER. 

Certainly  not.     My  children  shall  do  just  as  they  like — 
in  reason. 

CECIL. 
And  their  father?     Won't  he  have  anything  to  say  ? 

ESTHER. 

Yes.     Now  and  again  !     But  men  don't  really  under- 
stand these  things.     They'd  much  better  leave  them  to 

the  mothers — because [She  catches  his  eye  ;  bows  her 

head;  blushes.]   Oh,  I  shouldn't  be  talking  like  this — to 
you. 

CECIL. 
Esther.  [Bending  over  her. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOE  139 

ESTHER. 
[Faces  him."]   Cecil!     Really?     Do  you — love  me? 

CECIL. 
No.     I  hate  you. 

ESTHER. 
[Rises,  goes  c.  ;  turns.]    Fancy  you  loving  me  ! 

CECIL. 
[Rises.]    Isn't  it  extraordinary  ? 

ESTHER. 
I  don't  believe  it. 

CECIL. 

It  isn't  true,  either.     It [Is  about  to  embrace  her— 

bell  rings.     They  break  apart  in  alarm]    Father ! 

ESTHER. 
[Alarmed.]   Oh!     But,  Adrian 

CECIL. 

Adrian's  all  right.     He's  in  the  library.     Father  will 
come  here  first. 

ESTHER. 
Oh,  what  can  we  do  ? 

CECIL. 
Do  ?    Nothing.    Stay  where  you  are  ! 

ESTHER. 
Oh,  but 

CECIL. 
Not  a  word  !     Cling  to  me  !  [Enter  VINING,  C. 


140  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

VlNING. 

Mr.  Lewis. 

[CECIL  and  ESTHER  laug k  ;  enter  LEWIS. 

LEWIS. 

[Comes  down  C.  ;  stops  short  when  he  sees  them.']   Oh 
— may  I  ?  [Exit  VlNING,  c. 

CECIL. 
Certainly  you  may. 

LEWIS. 
[Puts  his  hat  on  table.~\    It's  business. 

CECIL. 
All  right.     Fire  away. 

LEWIS. 
[Comes  C.]    Before  Miss ? 

CECIL. 
Why  not?  [  Whispers  in  LEWIS'  ear. 

LEWIS. 

Eh?  [CECIL  whiskers  again.~]    Really?    No!     You're 
not?    Are  you?     Bravo  !     You're  a  wonder! 

[Shakes  his  hand  warmly. 

CECIL. 
Thank  you,  Lewis. 

LEWIS. 

[Crosses  to  ESTHER  ;   shakes  her  hands  warmly^    My 
very  warmest — for  both  of  you. 

ESTHER. 
Thank  you,  Mr.  Lewis. 

CECIL, 
Now  to  business. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  141 

LEWIS. 

Here  we  are.  [Taking  out  telegram.]  Paris!  Peters- 
burg !  Vienna  !  Warsaw  !  Berlin — they  all  want  you. 

ESTHER. 
[Rises,  alarmed.]   Oh,  no  !     Not  now  ! 

LEWIS. 
Not  now  ?     Eh  ? 

CECIL. 
[To  LEWIS.]   You'll  get  your  commission  all  right ! 

ESTHER. 
Stay  in  London,  Cecil ! 

CECIL. 

Oh,  no,  the  season's  too  short,  my  dear.     [Crosses  to 
ESTHER.]     We'll  take  all  the  engagements.     Anywhere. 
Everywhere  !     All  over  the  world.      We,  my  dear,  we  I 
[Enter  ADRIAN  and  ULRICA  c.     ESTHER  joins 
ULRICA  back  of  couch. 

LEWIS. 
[With  easy  familiarity  ;  shakes  finger  at  ADRIAN.]   Ah! 

ADRIAN. 

[Comes  down  C.  ;  indignantly."]  What  do  you  mean  by 
"Ah"? 

LEWIS. 
We've  caught  you ! 

ADRIAN. 

Shut  up.  [To  CECIL.]  We've  made  up  our  minds. 
If  there  are  any  more  obstacles  put  in  our  way,  we'll  just 
marry  and  be  hanged  to  them.  [They  shake  hands. 


142  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

CECIL. 
Splendid  !  [Enter  MARGARET,  c.  door. 

LEWIS. 
[Slaps  ADRIAN  on  the  shoulder.~\  Well  spoken !  Bravo  ! 

ADRIAN. 
[Irritably. .]    Shut  up,  Lewis  ! 

MARGARET. 

[To  ESTHER,  who  is  standing  above  ULRICA  at  back  of 
couch.~\  My  dear! 

[CECIL  turns  up  as  MARGARET  enters. 

CECIL. 
This  is  Adrian  Jacobson,  mother. 

MARGARET. 

I'm  very  pleased  to  meet  you.  [Then  looks  in  amaze- 
ment at  the  whole  gathering.]  Has  your  father  returned  ? 

ULRICA. 
No. 

MARGARET. 
I  do  hope  nothing  has  happened. 

ULRICA. 

A  great  deal  has  happened  in  his  absence,  mother. 
Cecil  and  I  have  made  up  our  minds.  The  rein  of  tyr- 
anny is  over.  We're  going  to  be  married ! 

MARGARET. 
Married  ! 

ULRICA. 
There's  my  future  husband. 

CECIL. 
And  there's  my  future  wife. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  143 

MARGARET. 

[Wringing  her  hands.]    But  your  father?     [Loud  ring- 
ing heard.]     Here  he  is  ! 

[All  turn  back  to  audience  simultaneously  and  look 
at  door  C.  General  scene  of  suspense  and  ex- 
citement. Positions  from  L.  to  R.  LEWIS, 
ADRIAN  down  stage,  CECIL,  MARGARET, 
ULRICA  and  ESTHER  above  sofa. 

CECIL. 

[Straightening  up  a  little;  nervously.]    All  the  better. 
[All  turn  and  face  audience. 

ULRICA. 

[With  great  show  of  bra-very  and  thin  trembling  little 
voice.]    I  m  glad  ! 

ESTHER. 

[Comes    to    L.,    back    of  couch,    very    frightened;    to 
ADRIAN.]   Let  us  go  ! 

ADRIAN. 
[By  chair  R.  of  table]   Certainly  not !     We'll  stay  ! 

CECIL. 
[Crosses  to  LEWIS.]    Don't  you  think  you'd  better  go? 

LEWIS. 
Why  ?     Why  ? 

CECIL. 

[Front  of  table]   Well,  you  know  he  hates 

[Checks  himself. 

LEWIS. 
You  forget,  Cotswold  !     I'm  a  Presbyterian  ! 

[Handle  of  door  turns ;  all  turn,  face  door.  Enter 
SIR  JOHN,  c.  He  is  white,  angry,  dejected; 


144  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

he  looks  from  one  to  the  other  furiously.     MAR- 
GARET and  ULRICA  are  behind  couch,  ESTHER 
f        L.,  ADRIAN  by  chair  R.   of  table,  CECIL  and 
LEWis/n?«/  of  table. 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Throws  up  his  hands.']   A  synagogue  ! 

[After pause,  starts  to  go  to  couch  R. 

LEWIS. 

[Breaks  the  situation;  goes  around 'L.  of  table  as  if  to  go 
to  SIR  JOHN.  Easily  and  jauntily I\  Ah,  my  dear  Sir 

John 

[SiR  JOHN  ignores  him,  walks  right  through  group , 
sits  down  on  Chesterfield,  looks  straight  before 
him,  talks  to  himself  and  beats  his  knee  with  his 
clenched  fist.  He  looks  very  frail  and  feeble. 
MARGARET  and  ULRICA  are  at  back  of  couch  ; 
ADRIAN  joins  ESTHER. 

CECIL. 

[Follows  LEWIS  around  table,  gives  him  his  hat.~\  I'll 
see  you  to-night. 

LEWIS. 
[Going.']    Right !     The  old  gentleman's  not  well. 

CECIL. 
I'm  afraid  not. 

LEWIS. 

I'm  sorry.  Good-night.  [/«  a  whisper  to  the  others.'] 
Good-bye.  [To  ADRIAN  and  ESTHER  and  ULRICA,  mak- 
ing a  benediction  with  his  hand.]  Bless  you. 

[Exit,  c. 
CECIL. 

[To  ESTHER,  by  door  in  whisper.~\  Go  in  next  door  and 
wait  for  me.  Take  Adrian  with  you.  I'll  call  in  by 
and  by. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  145 

ESTHER. 
[In  whisper.]    But  you  won't  be  allowed  in ! 

CECIL. 

I'll  see  to  that.  [Amid  much  whispering  and  leave- 
taking,  ADRIAN  and  ESTHER  creepoutc.  ULRICA  pushes 
them  off.  MARGARET  stands  near  SIR  JOHN,  afraid  to 
speak  to  him  CECIL  motions  ULRICA  to  speak.  She 
shakes  her  head,  smiles.~\  Speak  to  him  ! 

ULRICA. 
[R.  of  CECIL  in  wkisper.~\    No.     You  speak!    Goon! 

SIR  JOHN. 

That's  right !  Whisper  !  Whisper  behind  my  back. 
Conspirators !  All  of  you.  [To  MARGARET.]  Have  they 
gone? 

MARGARET. 
[At  back  of 'couch.]   Yes,  John. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Can  I  breathe  Christian  air  again  ? 

MARGARET. 
Yes,  John,  dear  ;  yes. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Thank  goodness. 

MARGARET. 
Did  they  lend  you  the  money,  dear? 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Angrily]  No,  they  did  not.  Never  speak  of  money 
before  me  again!  I've  done  with  it.  Pah!  I  spent  the 
whole  of  this  time  running  over  the  town  abasing  myself 
before  usurers — leeches.  For  whom?  My  son  !  To  pay 
his  debts! 


146  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

MARGARET. 
Oh,  John  ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Mimicking  her.~\  Oh,  John  !  What  kind  of  treatment 
did  I  get  ?  Would  they  let  me  have  the  money  ?  Oh, 
yes!  They'd  let  me  have  it.  But  on  what  conditions? 
A  Mr.  Levy  was  prepared  to  oblige  me  with  a  thousand 
pounds  if  I  paid  him  back  two  thousand  !  Another  hon- 
est thief  offered  me  five  hundred  in  cash,  and  the  remain- 
ing five  hundred  in  a  bicycle,  a  baby  carriage  and  a  sew- 
ing-machine. Then  when  I  agreed  to  their  terms  they 
would  not  let  me  have  it  without  security.  But  the  awful 
part  was  that  the  worst  of  the  Jews  was  no  Jew  at  all,  but 
a  genuine,  pure-blooded  rascally  Christian.  That  was  bit- 
ter—bitter ! 

ULRICA. 

\With  determination,  comes  down  C.  ;  faces  SIR  JOHN.] 
Father,  why  not  look  the  truth  in  the  face  ?  [MARGARET 
makes  a  movement  as  if  to  stop  her.~\  We  have  gone  down, 
down,  down  in  the  world.  And  entirely  through  you. 

SIR  JOHN. 
How  dare  you  ? 

ULRICA. 

Don't  shout  at  me,  father.  You've  done  that  so  often 
that  I  don't  mind  it  now.  It  is  entirely  through  you  that 
we  are  in  the  wretched  position  we  are  in  to-day.  Your 
reckless  expenditures  did  that.  You  never  understood 
figures. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Thank  God ! 

ULRICA. 

And  that  very  ignorance  brought  us  to  want.  Abso- 
lute want. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  147 

SIR  JOHN. 
Want !     Want !     What  do  you  mean  ? 

ULRICA. 

Oh,  you  never  noticed  it.  You  never  would  because 
we  took  care  you  shouldn't.  But  mother  and  I  have 
with  our  own  work  provided  the  necessities  of  life  for 
months  past,  and  now  when  things  are  mending  through 
Cecil,  you  try  to  make  fresh  trouble  for  us. 

SIR  JOHN. 
You've  provided  the  necessities? 

ULRICA. 
Yes. 

[SiR  JOHN  sits  nervously  beating  his  knee  and 
twitching. 

CECIL. 

{Comes  L.  ^ULRICA  ;  cheerily.'}  Come  !  Come  !  That 
is  all  past.  We'll  never  speak  of  anything  unpleasant 
like  that  again!  Congratulate  me,  father! 

SIR  JOHN. 
Congratulate  you? 

CECIL. 
On  my  engagement ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
You  are  engaged ! 

CECIL. 
Just  now — here ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
Here? 


148  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 
[Defiantly.]   And  I'm  engaged,  too. 

SIR  JOHN. 
You? 

ULRICA. 
Just  now.     In  the  library. 

SIR  JOHN. 
To ? 

ULRICA. 
Adrian  Jacobson ! 

CECIL. 

Esther  Jacobson  !  [SiR  JOHN  rises,  stands  erect;  his  lips 
move,  but  no  sound  comes.'}  We've  made  up  our  minds. 
Ulrica  has  given  her  youth  to  you  and  to  her  home.  It 
isn't  fair.  She  ought  to  have  a  chance  of  being  happy. 

SIR  JOHN. 
With  a  Jew  ? 

ULRICA. 
I  love  him. 

SIR  JOHN. 
And  my  son — with  a  Jewess? 

CECIL. 
I  love  her ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
Children  of  Jacobson ! 

CECIL. 

I  reverence  him ! 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  149 

SIR  JOHN. 
Never — never  with  my  consent. 

CECIL. 
But  you've  always  liked  Esther. 

SIR  JOHN. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  my  enemy. 

ULRICA. 
If  you  knew  Adrian  better  you'd  love  him  as  a  son. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Turns  to  MARGARET  at  back  of  couch.'}  Margaret! 
Say  something.  After  all,  you're  their  mother.  Speak  ! 

MARGARET. 

[At  back  of  couch:  terrified.'}  Yes— I  will— I— if  you— 
that  is — I  don't  know. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Well,  after  that  clear  and  well-defined  expression  of 
opinion  there  is  nothing  more  to  be  said  except — this. 
[CECIL  and  ULRICA  have  their  backs  to  audience,  facing 
SIR  JOHN.]  You  ask  me  to  give  my  consent  to  your 
marrying  into  Mr.  Jacobson's  family.  Here  is  my 
answer.  No !  No !  No !  No ! 

[//<?  is  going  to  door  L.     CECIL  approaches  him. 

CECIL. 

\As  SIR  JOHN  reaches  doorJ}  Well,  give  us  at  least  one 
good  reason? 

SIR  JOHN. 
\_By  door  L.]    It  is  enough  that  I  forbid  you. 


150  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 

Father,  all  my  life  I've  obeyed  you.  When  you've 
been  harsh,  I've  borne  it  without  a  word.  But  I  love 
Adrian.  I  love  him.  My  whole  happiness  is  bound  up 
in  him.  Do  you  want  me  to  sacrifice  that  as  well  as  my 

youth?     Do  you?     If  you  do  I  will,  only — only 

[Covers  her  face  with  her  hands  and  breaks  down. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[First  of  all  trembles  with  rage  ;  then  it  gradually  leaves 
him ;  his  erect  stature  shrinks  ;  his  voice  from  the  harsh 
tone  of  temper  modulates  to  the  pathetic  break  of  old  age  ; 
he  moves  to  ULRICA.]  Ulrica  !  I  see  now !  I  see  I  ve 
never  been  quite  fair  to  you.  Never  quite  fair.  My  dear, 
I'm  sorry.  Very  sorry  !  But  don't — don't — do  this  thing  ! 

And   you,    Cecil [CECIL    steps   down,-  faces   SIR 

JOHN.]  I  no  longer  command  my  boy.  I  plead !  Yes — 
plead  to  my  own  children.  Don't — don't  do  it.  At  least 
— not — not  while  I'm  alive.  Wait — it  won't  be  long. 
Not  long.  To-day,  now — I  feel  very — very  old.  Time's 
hand  is  heavy  on  me.  Ulrica  !  Won't  you  at  least  pity 
me? 

ULRICA. 
[Turns  to  him  ;  all  compassion.^    Father ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

Can't  you  see — just  a  little — with  my  old  eyes  ? 
Stripped  of  everything — by  one  man — not  of  our  race. 
If  you  and  Cecil  do  this,  every  one  would  laugh  at  me — 
and  I  couldn't  bear  that.  [Pause.~]  If  you  must — 
wait  until  I'm  no  longer  here  to  feel  the  shame.  That's 
all.  That's  all!  [Tears  come  to  his  eyes ;  he  brushes  the 
back  of  his  hand  across  his  eyes  ;  his  voice  fails.'}  That's 
all-  —  [Totters  out  L.  MARGARET  sobs. 

ULRICA. 
[Looks  at  CECIL.]    He's  right. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  151 

CECIL. 
Ulrica! 

ULRICA. 
I  couldn't  do  it  now. 

CECIL. 

But 

ULRICA. 

We  must  face  our  duty.  You  must,  too.  Yes,  you 
must.  We  would  never  have  a  moment's  happiness. 
At  least  1  never  would.  I'd  always  see  my  father's  face 
and  hear  his  voice  as  he  stood  there  pleading  to  us. 

CECIL. 
You'll  give  up  everything? 

ULRICA. 
My  place  is  beside  my  father.     I'll  stay  beside  him. 

CECIL. 

You're  right,  Ulrica.  You're  always  right.  But  Es- 
ther— Adrian  ? 

ULRICA. 
We  must  tell  them  frankly. 

CECIL. 
When? 

ULRICA. 

Now.  [Crossing  to  MARGARET.]  Don't  cry,  mother. 
Never  cry  again.  You'll  never  hear  a  word  of  reproach 
or  bitterness  from  me — come,  mother  dear. 

[Kisses  her. 

MARGARET. 
My  darling ! 


152  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

ULRICA. 
Rest  here,  mother  dear,  until  we  come  back. 

[CECIL  has  gone  slowly  up  to  door  c.     Opens  it. 

MARGARET. 
You  are  going  out  ? 

ULRICA. 
We're  going — next  door.  [Turns  up  to  CECIL. 

CECIL 
You've  made  up  your  mind? 

ULRICA. 

Absolutely.     And  so  have  you,  Cecil.     Our  first  duty 
is  to  our  family.     Come,  let  us  face  it  out. 

CECIL. 
I  can't  tell  Esther. 

ULRICA. 

You  must!     Just  as  I'll  tell  Adrian — never  to  think  of 
me  or  speak  to  me  again.  [Her  lips  quiver. 

CECIL. 
[Takes  her  in  his  arms.']     My  poor  Ulrica  ! 

ULRICA. 
Don't  pity  me.     Help  me  to  be  brave — come  ! 

[Exeunt  ULRICA  and  CECIL  c.  "Salut  a"  Amour" 
is  heard  outside  -window  on  string  orchestra. 
VINING  enters  C.  with  lamp.  Closes  door  and 
crosses  to  piano. 

MARGARET. 
What  is  that  music,  Vining  ? 

VINING. 

[By  piano.     Places  lamp  on  piano .]   Oh,  that's  a  band 
in  the  street,  my  lady. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  153 

MARGARET. 

Close  the  window,  Vining.  [As  VINING  closes  window 
the  music  sinks  to  piano.  MARGARET  glances  toward  door 
L.,  then  goes  to  door  c.,  opens  it  and  turns  to  VINING.]  If 
Sir  John  should  ask,  say  I've  gone  next  door. 

[Exit,  leaving  door  open.  VINING  exits,  closing 
door.  After  a  pause  door  opens  L.  SIR  JOHN 
looks  in.  All  through  the  act  the  light  has 
gradually  been  fading.  It  is  now  almost  dark. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Any  one  there  ?   [Goes  to  door  c.,  opens  it,  listens,  calls.~\ 

Margaret [Louder]    Margaret.     Why  doesn't  some 

one  answer?  [Excitedly.]  Margaret!  [Runs  to  doom.., 
opens  it.  Enter  VINING,  c.,  with  lamp.  Turns  quickly '.] 
Who's  that? 

VINING. 
It's  me,  Sir  John. 

[Puts  lamp  on  sideboard  and  goes  down  to  doori.. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Vining.    [ViNiNG  stops.]   Where's  Lady  Cotswold  ? 

VINING. 
Gone  next  door,  Sir  John. 

SIR  JOHN. 
What!    [Pause.]    Where's  Miss  Ulrica? 

VINING. 
Gone  next  door,  Sir  John. 

SIR  JOHN. 
And  Mr.  Cecil? 

VININO. 
Gone  next  door.  Sir  John. 


154  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Pause.]  That'll  do.  [Bell  off  ^  Exit  VINING.]  So 
I  pleaded  in  vain  !  My  last  appeal — my  last. 

[Reenter  VINING. 

VINING. 
Sir  Isaac  Jacobson,  Sir  John. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Sir  Isaac  !    [Pause.]    Show  him  in. 

[Exit  VINING  c.  ;  leaves  door  open.  VINING 
stands  in  hall,  shows  in  JACOBSON,  and  closes 
door  after  JACOBSON'S  entrance.  The  two  men 
bow. 

JACOBSON. 
Do  I  intrude  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
Pray  be  seated.  [Indicates  chair. 

JACOBSON. 

[Moves  down  R.  c.,  a  little  below  SIR  JOHN.  Still 
standing.]  Two  days  ago  you  pocketed  your  pride  to  call 
on  me.  I  have  pocketed  mine  in  coming  here — now. 

[Pause. 

SIR  JOHN. 
I'm  entirely  at  your  service. 

JACOBSON. 
Firstly,  I  wish  to  apologize. 

SIR  JOHN. 
Apologize !     You ! 

JACOBSON. 
For  my  discourtesy  two  days  ago. 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  155 

SIR  JOHN. 

The  discourtesy  was  mine.  I  said  certain  things — I 
was  hasty — I — something  I've  never  done  before — I  de- 
sire to  apologize — to  you.  I  </0  apologize.  There — I've 
said  it.  [Pause.]  It's  bitter!  Bitter! 

JACOBSON. 
You  don't  understand. 

SIR  JOHN. 

I  insist  on  apologizing.  I  admit  it — I  was — a  little  un- 
reasonable. 

JACOBSON. 
Sir  John ! 

SIR  JOHN. 

Since  then  I've  learned  something  that  has  affected  me 
deeply.  My  son  tells  me  of  his  indebtedness — your  gen- 
erosity. It  is  to  you  he  owes  his  success.  To  you  he 
owes  one  thousand  pounds. 

JACOBSON. 
Please. 

SIR  JOHN. 

Oh,  I'm  not  going  to  give  it  to  you !  No  !  I've  not 
got  it!  I  can't  get  it.  Only  to-day  I  learned  that  my 
name  isn't  worth  it.  [Pause. ]  All  I  can  tender  you  is 
my  gratitude. 

JACOBSON. 

Please  don't.  I  never  meant  you  should  know.  I 
asked  your  son  not  to  let  you  know.  [Pause.']  May  I  tell 
you  my  second  reason  for  calling  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
If  you  please. 


156  THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR 

JACOBSON. 

Your  children  are  with  mine.  They  are  miserably  un- 
happy. Mine  are  very  dear  to  me,  Sir  John.  They  love 

yours \_Pause^\    I'm  prepared  to  withdraw  what  I 

said  two  days  ago,  to  sink  my  own  feelings.    \_PauseJ\ 
Shall  we  let  them  suffer  for  our  unreasoning  prejudices  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
My  children  know  my  wishes. 

JACOBSON. 
And  they're  prepared  to  respect  them  ! 

SIR  JOHN. 
Good. 

JACOBSON. 
You  won't  give  your  consent  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
No.  Let  them  wait  till  I'm  no  longer  here. 

JACOBSON. 
[Pause."]  Do  you  hate  me  as  much  as  that  ? 

SIR  JOHN. 
[Looking  steadily  at  him]  I  do. 

\Music  " Saint  d' Amour"  stops.  After  slight 
pause  starts  "Barcarolle,"  from  "  Contes 
a" Hoffman" 

JACOBSON. 

Very  well.  I  understand  your  feelings.  I  appreciate 
and  share  them.  But  I  would  willingly  have  sacrificed 
mine  to  insure  the  happiness  of  my  children.  Sir  John, 
good-night.  [Exit. 

SIR  JOHN. 

[Stands  looking  straight  before  him.  PauseJ]  Sir  Isaac ! 
[Looks  around.\  Gone  !  Well,  let  him  go.  [Sits  chair 


THE  HOUSE  NEXT  DOOR  167 

R.  of  table.  Sudden  thought.]  He  gave  Cecil  a  thousand 
pounds  when  he  most  needed  it.  Damned  decent  of 
him.  [Pause.]  He  lets  me  owe  him  six  months'  rent 
and  not  one  word.  He  might  have  thrown  it  in  my  face 
three  days  ago,  yet  he  didn't.  Why?  [With  gradually 
awakened  feelings]  If  only  he  weren  t  a  Jew.  \_His 
hand  falls  on  book.  He  takes  it  up]  "The  Children  of 
the  Ghetto  "!  Damme,  I'll  read  it.  \_Thinking.~\  Have 
I  been  wronging  Jews  all  my  life  ?  Have  I  been  wrong- 
ing him  ?  [Dismisses  the  thought.']  But  for  him  what 
might  have  happened  to  my  boy  ?  Starved  ?  A  fail- 
ure !  [Pause]  And  to  me  ?  Turned  into  the  street ! 
[Rises.  Drofs  book  to  floor.  Expresses  loneliness  as 
he  looks  around  feebly]  I  wish  they'd  come  back. 
[Faces  portrait]  Lord  Beaconsfield,  the  greatest  Jew 
of  all.  Made  our  laws — upheld  the  power  and  dignity 
of  our  country.  Have  I  been — I  wonder — I  won- 
der   My  boy !  Ulrica !  They  love  his  children 

and  I  stand  in  their  way.  [Sits  sofa  R.,  feebly]  And 
what  do  I  matter  after  all  ?  A  year  or  two  at  the  most 

and  then [Sits ;  his  hand  falls  limply ;   he  realizes  a 

picture  of  lonely  misery]  My  time  has  almost  come. 
[Pause;  sudden  thought;  his  hands  clench]  Money 
gone — estate  gone — pride — everything.  Just  my  boy 
and  my  girl.  [Enter  VINING  c.,  with  newspapers 
which  he  takes  to  table  L.  and  arranges.  He  leaves  door 
open.  SIR  JOHN  rises,  goes  to  R.  of  table,  looks  vaguely  at 
VINING,  turns  despondently,  goes  to  chair  by  writing-table 
and  leans  on  it,  looking  out  of  window  in  utter  despair; 
turns,  picks  up  hat  and  cane  from  table,  turns  in  door  to 
VINING.]  Vining  [VINING  lifts  his  head  and  looks  at 
him],  if  any  one  calls,  I'm  next  door  ! 

[Exit  C.     VINING  stands  watching  him  off  till  the 
curtain  is  down. 


CURTAIN 


CONTEST  WINNERS  FOR  PRIZE  SPEAKING 
From  the  Stories  of  Well-known  Authors 

Arranged  by  Lilian  Holmes  Strack 

CONTENTS 

1.  A  Willing  Worker      .      .  Frances  Boyd  Calhoun 

2.  The  Whooping-cough  School     Emma  Speed  Sampson 

3.  The  Rabbit's  Left  Hind  Foot    Frances  Boyd  Calhoun 

4.  Midshipman  Easy       .      .      .     Sylvia  Chatfield  Bates 

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7.  Dikkon's  Dog Dorothy  Lundt 

8.  Fine  Feathers B.  W.  Denison 

9.  Plupy's  Debating  Club    ....     Henry  A.  Shute 

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11.  The  Fall  from  Grace Myrtle  Reed 

12.  The  Wheels  of  Time       ....     Florence  Barclay 

13.  An  American  Citizen  .      .     Frank  Hepburn  Crawford 

14.  Madame  Butterfly       ....     John  Luther  Long 

15.  The  Prince  of  Illusion       .      .      .     John  Luther  Long 

16.  The  Thoroughbred       ....     Julie  M.  Lippman 

17.  A  Thorra  Job Julie  M.  Lippman 

18.  Children  is  Children,  or  Ours  and  Others, 

Julie  M.  Lippman 

19.  How  the  LaRue  Stakes  Were  Lost       .     C.  N.  Hood 

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From  the  Stories  of  Juliet  Wilbor  Tompkins 
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CONTENTS 

Over  Sunday  A  Submerged  Mother 

The  Homely  Little  Thing         The  Kitten  and  the  Mastiff 
The  Thrifty  Sarah  The  Butterfly  Lover 

The  Viper  Marguerite's  Husband 

The  Measure  of  a  Man  His  Busy  Night 

The  Real  Tragedy  The  Jewell 

Clock  Work  Mr.  Lucile  G.  Parker 

The  Burial  of  Manuella  The  Little  Cuss  (Chip  Off 

A  Visit  from  George's  Aunt  the  Old  Block) 

His  First  Wife 

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they  created  a  nation-wide  interest.  Miss  May  has  that 
enviable  knack  of  being  able  to  pick  out  those  odd  man- 
nerisms and  traits  which  make  each  type  she  depicts 
stand  out  as  real.  Seldom  can  such  a  varied  group  of 
character  sketches  be  found  in  one  volume.  There  is 
sufficient  material  to  round  out  a  dozen  programs  and 
each  reading  is  a  gem  unto  itself.  Cloth  Binding. .  .$1.25 


BRAN'  NEW  MONOLOGUES 

By  Walter  Ben  Hare 

A  varied  collection  of  unusual  selections.  Most  of  the 
readings  were  especially  written  for  and  have  been  used 
by  prominent  platform  and  vaudeville  artists.  This 
volume  is  one  of  Mr .  Hare's  best.  Art  Board  Covers  .$1.00 


STRACK  SELECTIONS 
from 

BOOTH  TARKINGTON'S  STORIES 

Arranged  by  Lilian  Holmes  Strack 

CONTENTS 

B-1-a-c-k-m-a-i-l  North  End  Daily  Oriole 

Bonded  Prisoner,  The  Pageant   of   the   Table 
Cousins  Round,  The 

Creative  Art,  The  Penrod 

Evils  of  Drink,  The  Penrod's  Busy  Day 

Fall  of  George  Bassett  Penrod's    Nervous    Break- 
Initiation  of  George   Bas-  down 

sett,  The  Say  Not  So 

Ladies'  Ways  Smallpox  Medicine,  The 

Light,  The  Tiger,  The 

Model  Letter  to  a  Friend  Twelve 

Full  Cloth  Binding— Price,  $1.50 

WALTER  H.  BAKER  COMPANY 
Boston,  Mass. 

THE  STRACK  PLATFORM  READINGS 
From  the  Stories  of  Ellis  Parker  Butler 

Arranged  by  Lilian  Holmes  Strack 

CONTENTS 

Lena  Hooper  on  "Free  Verse"  Dog  Wanted:  Male 

"You  Got  to  S'lute!"  The  Three  Hundred 

The  Adventure  of  the  Lame  Mr.  Perkins  of  Portland 

and  the  Halt  The  Son  and  Father  Move- 
A  Man  and  His  Symptoms  ment 

Wings  Billy  Brad,  Convict 

Martin  Forgot  "Dey  Ain't  No  Ghosts" 

A  Jury  of  His  Peers  The  Stolen  Christmas  Tree 

The  Five  Forks  Hidden  Treasure 

A  Knight  Above  Reproach  Billy  Brad  and  the  For- 
Mrs.  Dugan's  Discovery  bidden  Fruit 

Billy  Brad  and  the  Big  Lie  Eliph  Hewlitt,  Book  Agent 

The  Lady  Across  the  Aisle  Biily  Brad  and  One  in  Au- 
Teacher's  Pet  thority 

Full  Cloth  Binding— Price,  $1.25 

WALTER  H.  BAKER  COMPANY 

Boston,  Mass. 


NEW  PLAYS 


f"»  Jl  ll 

Season  .,  A   000043  171 


3 


AFTER  THE  CURTAIN  FALLS    By  William  M.  Blatt 

These  playlets  are  reveries  following  the  reading  of  three 
Shakespearian  plays, — "Henry  V,"  "Much  Ado  About  Noth- 
ing, "and  "The  Merchant  of  Venice."  There  is  no  feeling  at  E 


the  end  of  a^  Shakespeare  Comedy  that  the  machinery  has 
stopped  moving  and  that  the  marionettes  are  packed  away: 
on  the  contrary  it  must  be  a  reader  with  little  imagination 
who  does  not  picture  the  characters  living  on  beyond  the 
curtain.  Thata  is  what  has  been  done  in  this  collection. 
Prince  Henry  is  seen  after  his  edict  of  banishment  against 
Falstaff,  and  edict  whose  very  sternness  indicates  that  it  is 
not  entirely  serious.  Beatrice  and  Benedick,  the  untameable, 
are  seen  in  their  home,  trying  to  live  the  tame  domestic  life. 
Shylock  is  seen  struggling  against  the  tide  of  fate,  and  Jessica 
after  her  unpropitious  marriage.  All  of  the  characters  are 
from  the  plays  except  two  servants.  The  sketches,  though 
supplementary,  are  complete  in  themselves.  Each  has  a 
clearly  defined  and  developed  plot  and  a  climatic  ending. 
The  three  plays  in  one  volume.  Price,  50  cents. 

CAPTAIN  DREW  ON  LEAVE    By  Hubert  Henry  Davies 

A  comedy  in  four  acts.  Four  males,  three  females.  Two 
simple  sets.  It  is  our  privilege  this  season  to  publish  another 
successful  play  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Davies.  Originally  pro- 
duced in  London,  with  Sir  Charles  Wyndham,  Mr.  Louis 
Calvert,  Miss  Mary  Moore,  and  Miss  Marion  Perry  in  the 
cast.  It  is  now  offered  for  the  first  time  in  printed  form. 
The  many  who  have  enjoyed  the  plays,  "Cousin  Kate,"  "The 
Mollusc,"  "Mrs.  Gorringe's  Necklace,"  and  "A  Single  Man," 
will  delight  in  having  a  copy  of  this  latest  play  which  reads 
as  well  as  it  acts.  It  is  a  story  of  English  family  life,  and  the 
characters  are  the  best  examples  of  the  type  Mr.  Davies  draws 
so  well.  The  drab  household  of  Moxon,  takes  on  a  new  color 
when  Captain  Drew  appears  on  the  scene.  The  development 
of  his  mild  flirtation  with  Mrs.  Moxon,  and  its  logical  ending, 
provides  an  ^  excellent  evening's  entertainment.  Reading 
clubs  in  particular  will  welcome  the  play.  Royalty  quoted 
on  application.  Books  in  |a  {library  edition  at  75  cents  per 
copy. 

MAN  UNDER  THE  BED  By  Katharine  Metcalf  Roof 
A  farce-comedy  in  one  act.  A  short  comedy  of  youth  with 
a  real  plot,  giving  a  new  angle  upon  a  popular  theme.  An 
episode  in  the  room  of  a^  closed  country  house  having  all  the 
piquancy,  without  the  impropriety,  of  the  bedroom  farce. 
Full  of  suspense  and  amusing  turns,  with  an  unexpected  twist 
at  the  end.  Cast  for  two  young  girls  and  a  man.  Can  be 
set  in  any  room  having  a  window  at  the  back.  Price  30  cents. 

BAKER'S  PLAYS,  BOSTON,  MASS. 


*jfcjfcjfcjtjHaj^cjfc^^ 

NEW  PLAYS  AND  BOOKS 


Season  1925 


BE  AN  OPTIMIST  By  Adam  Applebud 

The  Quintessence  of  Nonsense  in  three  acts.  Six  males, 
seven  females,  all  equally  important,  with  the  opportunity, 
if  desired,  to  use  several  "Supers"  with  no  lines.  Two  simple 
interiors.  ADAM  APPLEBUD  certainly  blossomed  forth 
with  as  many  original  situations  and  bits  of  business  as  a 
centipede  has  pedal  extremities  when  he  wrote  BE  AN  OP- 
TIMIST. Funnier  things  happen  than  you  ever  dreamed  of 
after  a  midnight  encounter  with  a  welsh-rarebit.  F'r  instance, 
can  you  imagine  manufacturing  a  mummy  with  a  love-sick 
swain,  surgical  bandages  and  a  pail  of  coffee  as  the  chief  in- 
gredients? Also,  why  are  shot-guns  and  base-ball  bats  vital 
to  the  antique  business — to  say  nothing  of  sledge-hammers 
and  tooth-brushes?  And  why  should  Madame  Goopher,  the 
trance  medium,  faint  when  she  suddenly  discovers  she  isn't 
a  liar  after  all?  Would  you  stand  within  three  feet  of  your 
best  pal  and  listen  to  him  make  love  to  your  girl,  and  hear  her 
ask  him  for  a  kiss?  Our  hero  does,  and  he  is  helpless  under 
the  prevailing  circumstances.  The  property  man  won't  be 
worried,  as  the  "props"  most  important  to  the  play  are  found 
in  every  home.  .The  characters  are  more  assorted  than 
the  component  parts  of  boarding-house  hash,  and  they  will  keep 
the  laugh  center  in  your  medulla  working  livelier  than  a  cash 
register  in  a  bargain  basement.  Warning!  If  you  yearn  for 
"culchaw"  or  have  a  burning  desire  to  aid  in  the  uplift  of  the 
"drahma,"  don't  open  a  copy  of  BE  AN  OPTIMIST;  but  if 
you  want  the  rafters  of  the  old  town  hall  to  ring  with  laughter 
hop  to  it  I  Royalty  $10.00.  Price,  35  cents. 

THREE  ONE-ACT  PLAYS        By  Mary  [Catherine  Reclcy 

With  introduction  by  Zona  Gale.  Contents:  "Daily 
Bread,"  "A  Window  to  the  South,"  "Lean  Years."  "Daily 
life  is  Miss  Reely's  plays,  daily  routine,  daily  crises.  She  has 
that  for  lack  of  which  many  a  play  of  admirable  material 
perishes — emotional  appeal.  One  cannot  even  read  these 
plays  without  being  stirred  to  response,  to  definite  participa- 
tion. The  deal  with  problems  routed  in  human  emotions. 
'Daily  Bread'  must  move  everyone,  but  especially  the  socially 
awake.  'A  Window  to  the  South'  must  challenge  all  human 
sympathy,  but  especially  that  of  women,  and  especialy  that 
of  rural  women,  farm  women.  Home,  labor,  love,  pioneering 
—such  interests  speak  and  throb  in  the  little  plays.  Miss 
Reely  is  a  discovery."  (signed)  ZONA  GALE.  We  are 
keenly  enthusiastic  about  the  merits  of  these  several  plays, 
and  we  anticipate  that  during  the  coming  months,  little 
theatre  groups  scattered  over  the  country  will  add  them  to 
their  repertoire.  Price,  $1.00  per  copy. 

Send  for  a  Copy  of  our  New  Free  Catalogue. 
It  Describes  More  Than  a  Thousand  Plays. 

BAKER'S  PLAYS,  BOSTON,  MASS. 

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